“We really pack a room when we do this,” former Wilmette Fire Chief Mike McGreal said as he looked around the packed Wilmette Village Board room on July 25.
McGreal, set to work his last day on the job Wednesday, was on hand to see the promotion of four department members, whose moves were related to his own retirement. He and an audience filled with Wilmette firefighters and police officers saw the official swearing in of new chief Ben Wozney, formerly the department’s deputy chief; and of Michael Scheetz, James Bentz and Robert Brill, sworn in as lieutenant, duty chief and deputy chief, respectively.
The evening was also a chance for Village Manager Tim Frenzer to laud McGreal, and former deputy chief Tom Robertson, who retired earlier this year.
“We have some very good friends to say goodbye to,” Frenzer said when he began the proceedings. “And some of our other friends we will be celebrating with tonight.”
McGreal, a 29-year department veteran, took the lead in praising Robertson for his 30-year career and for work he’s done on firefighter training for the department.
“Being training officer is a thankless job, but … to the minute he walked out of that office, he was doing his job,” McGreal said.
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Robertson, noting that he was a graduate of Loyola Academy, said it was a privilege to have served the village.
Frenzer, who brought McGreal back to the podium after Robertson’s comments, told him, “You and I have been friends for a long time now. It’s been a genuine pleasure to work with you.
“To say he’s going to be missed will be an understatement,” Frenzer said.
After receiving a standing ovation from the audience, McGreal joked, “Maybe I won’t leave after all. I was just trying not to suck.”
McGreal said joining Wilmette’s fire department helped him grow up, then repeated what he said was a lesson he learned as a young firefighter and which he’s tried to impart to new department members.
“Throughout your careers, listen, learn, and don’t be afraid of failure. You are a civil servant, and that’s an honor, that’s a calling,” McGreal said. “Remember these two ideals; promise you’ll do the right thing, and you’ll do the best you can.”
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