Village, Fire Leaders Pay Homage To Longtime Mayor, Dedicated Chief

MANHATTAN, IL — Village and Manhattan Fire Protection District leaders are honoring the life of a beloved longtime public servant.

John "Jack" Fitzgerald died Jan. 27 at the age of 85. Fitzgerald embraced several vital roles within the village and fire district, spanning from 1956 through 2008, the district wrote.

Fitzgerald began at the district in January 1956 at just 16 years old, and went on to become assistant chief, deputy chief, and fire chief from 1998 until his retirement at the age of 70 in 2008.

Simultaneously, Fitzgerald served as mayor of Manhattan from 1967 to 1989, earning him the designation of longest serving mayor in the Village's history. He also served as trustee on both the Manhattan Village Board and Manhattan Township Board, his obituary reads.

"His impact on the community extended far beyond the fire service, as he was a true public servant who dedicated his life to making Manhattan a better place for all," the fire district wrote.

Village leadership also remarked on Fitzgerald's contributions as "leaving a lasting legacy that shaped the future of the community he loved.

"... a remarkable man whose life was defined by unwavering dedication to the community," the Village shared.

"In addition to his leadership as mayor, Chief Fitzgerld’s 52 years of service with the Manhattan Fire Protection District exemplified his commitment to the safety and well-being of all residents. As a retired Fire Chief, Jack’s influence and selflessness were felt across the village, where he worked tirelessly to make Manhattan a better place for everyone."

The fire district lauded Fitzgerald as "a trailblazer in fire safety and emergency medical services."

His leadership and dedication, they said, earned him multiple accolades, including Officer of the Year, the EMS Award, and the Paramedic of the Year Award from the Will-Grundy EMS System in 1987. In 2006, he was honored with the Dr. William McConnell Excellence in EMS Award.

Fitzgerald instilled in his family a reverence for public service. His grandson, Lt. Edward Ludwig, and great-grandson, firefighter-paramedic Conner Ludwig, followed in his footsteps and serve in the fire district presently.

"Chief Fitzgerald’s legacy of dedication and leadership will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew him," the fire district wrote. "Rest in peace, Chief Fitzgerald, we got it from here."

Visitation is set for Monday, Feb. 3 from 4 to 8 p.m., with a first responder walk-through at 6 p.m. Visitation will again take place Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 10 to 11 a.m., with funeral service at 11 a.m. All services will be held at Forysthe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S State St., in Manhattan.

Family wrote that Fitzgerald "was a living testament to the ideals of service, compassion, and family.

"His spirit of generosity, leadership, and warmth has left indelible imprints not only on his family but on the entire Manhattan community," his obituary reads. "As we bid farewell to a man who was so much to so many, we honor his legacy—one that will undoubtedly inspire generations to come.Jack’s life tells a story of unwavering love for his family, a commitment to the citizens he served, and a zest for life that will continue to shine bright as an example of a life extraordinarily well-lived...."

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Jack's name to Manhattan Fire Department, P.O. Box 65, Manhattan IL, 60442 or to Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431.