Homewood Fire Department Mourns Death Of Former Chief

HOMEWOOD, IL — The Homewood Fire Department, the Village of Homewood, and the Homewood community are mourning the loss of former Homewood Fire Chief Raymond J. Presnak, who died Sunday, Sept. 18.

Presnak, 70, served the Homewood Fire Department and community for over 30 years before retiring as fire chief and paramedic in 2006. Presnak was one of the first certified Paramedics who served the Homewood community.

“I knew Ray for over 30 years," said Fire Chief Robert Grabowski. "He did amazing things for the Homewood Fire Department during his tenure. The most substantial effect of his tenure as Fire Chief was the design and creation of the current training center which was later named after Brian Carey, Homewood’s fallen firefighter. The training site consists of three buildings. Building A which is the firefighter training simulation, building B which is a combined use of police, fire and public works storage and building C which serves as a classroom and includes a virtual reality simulator for the police department. The classroom was dedicated in Ray’s name in 2017."

Presnak worked construction as a Union Electrician and a Union Glazer. In his spare time, he was a very active member atParkview Christian Church. He worked at Sunrise Senior Living in Flossmoor as a maintenance coordinator.

On Friday, Sept. 23, the public is invited to a viewing at Tews-Ryan Funeral Home located at 18230 South Dixie Highway in Homewood from 2 to 8 p.m.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Parkview Christian Church Chapel located at 11100 Orland Parkway in Orland Park beginning at 10 a.m. The chapel is located on the east side of the parking lot.