South Side Says Goodbye to a Good Fireman

As a Chicago firefighter, Dan Capuano belonged to the city, but to the residents of Mt. Greenwood and Evergreen Park, he was their neighbor, hockey coach, friend and when his special skill set as a firefighter and paramedic were needed, a hero.

Hundreds turned out at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel to say goodbye to the 43-year-old firefighter who died doing his job early Monday morning, walking through a smoky warehouse ventilating a fire before falling into an open elevator shaft.

Rev. Thomas McCarthy, OSA, pastor of St. Rita of Cascia, delivered the funeral Mass homily, saying that “none of us want to be here today.” He reassured those gathered in the church that it was OK to feel sad and angry.

Recalling how the father once took a train to Springfield during a blizzard to cheer on his daughter, Amanda, now 16, when her cheerleading team was competing in the championships, Fr. McCarthy told her, “Your dad was and always will be your biggest fan and your biggest supporter.”

Fr. McCarthy also had special messages for Capuano’s sons, Andrew, 13, and Nick, 12, who Capuano outfitted with ice skates when they were 3 years old and started teaching them how to play hockey.

“Every time you play a game, I’m going to feel sorry for the other team, because you are going to have one more guy on the ice – your dad.”

Mayor Rahm Emanuel took the opportunity to blast the building owner, Anilroshi LLC, where the husband and father fell to his death. City officials said the owner of the building at 9213 S. Baltimore Ave. did not have a permit to remove the elevator.

CFD spokesman Larry Langford said that had there been a permit, Capuano would have felt a barrier as he battled through smoky conditions, preventing his fall. The firefighter’s wife has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the owner.

The Capuano children also took to the pulpit to read letters to their father.

Oldest son, Andrew, wrote: “You would always say to me, ‘Someday when I am gone, you will be the man of the house and I want you to take care of your mother, brother and sister.”

“I would always respond, ‘Yes I will because you taught me everything I need.’”

As the two-hour funeral drew to a close, the firefighter’s wife, Julie, listened as someone read her letter.

The grieving wife recalled their life as young newlyweds, moving into their first home “even though neither of us had ever lived away from our parents.”

“We’ve been married for 20 years and I wanted to be with you for a hundred more years,” the letter continued. “We have such great memories, Dan, but I would give anything in the world to have you back so we could make lots more. We have three beautiful, intelligent and talented children together. It breaks my heart into a million pieces to know you will never get to walk Amanda down the aisle or sit with me while we watch Andrew and Nick play hockey. I’m broken inside by losing you, Dan. I’m just not sure what I’m going to do. I will miss your hands and face, your funny sense of humor, your loving touch, your kisses and our conversations together.”

Outside, neighbors all too expert in lining the streets of Mt. Greenwood for a fallen firefighter or police officer watched the Tower Ladder 34 fire truck bearing the fallen firefighter’s casket wind through the streets -- past inflatable Santas and snowmen decking front lawns -- on its way to Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip. Also on Patch:

• Photos: Mourners Gather for Chicago Firefighter Daniel Capuano Funeral
• Blackhawks Honor Firefighter With Moment of Silence
• ‘He Only Wanted To Be Known As A Good Fireman’
• Building Inspectors Find Illegal Work Where Firefighter Fell Through Elevator Shaft: Reports
• Chicago Firefighter Dies Fighting Warehouse Fire