Hundreds Gather to Dedicate Ice Rink to Dan Capuano

In a dedication ceremony mixed with tears and laughter, Evergreen Park and Mt. Greenwood residents gathered at Yukich Field to remember firefighter/paramedic Dan Capuano, who died while fighting a fire in Chicago last December.

Hundreds gathered to watch the unveiling of the Daniel V. Capuano Ice RInk last Saturday. The ice rink is located outside the village’s lone firehouse, where Capuano worked for 16 years as a part-time firefighter and paramedic, in addition to his 15 years as a full-time Chicago firefighter.

Video provided by Village of Evergreen Park

Capuano and his family resided in Mt. Greenwood and maintained strong ties to Evergreen Park, where they were members of Queen of Martyrs Parish.

Evergreen Park Fire Chief Ronald Kleinhaus’s voice broke as he recalled the dedicated and hardworking family man and firefighter.

“He will never be forgotten and everyone who visits this park and skates on the rink will remember him too,” the fire chief said.

Mayor James Sexton said it was a “no brainer” when Chief Kleinhaus suggested naming the ice rink after the 42-year-old fallen firefighter.

“The ice rink is located right outside the firehouse,” Sexton said. “So when our firefighters go out on calls they will remember Dan on every call.”

Also thanking the residents of Evergreen Park was Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago.

“What you all have done here is something we try to do in Chicago and that is to never forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Santiago said. “Fifty years from now when a young child skating here asks who is Dan Capuano, a conversation will take place, and he will be remembered.”

Mayor Sexton joked that while the village had planned for family ice skating, people go swimming instead in the unseasonably warm 60-degree temperatures.

Residents retreated to watch Capuano’s widow, Julie, and their three children Amanda, Andrew and Nick unveil a memorial stone. Julie patted the plaque remembering her late husband.

“I’m sure he’s now watching over us and very happy about not forgetting what he’s done and supporting his legacy,” said Fr. Benedykt Pazdan, pastor of St. Bernadette Church and fire department chaplain.