The village of Norridge will shut down a major thoroughfare from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 13 because hundreds of firefighters, police and others are expected to attend the funeral and procession for Chicago Fire Department Lt. Jan Tchoryk, who died while battling a high-rise fire on North DuSable Lakeshore Drive April 5.
Funeral Director Larry Friel said he expects 3,000 to 4,000 people, including first responders, to attend the funeral.
Proceedings will begin with mourners gathering at 9 a.m. at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, and traveling in procession about one block west and two blocks north to St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Catholic Church, where Friel said Tchoryk, 55, and his mother were members.
After church service, the funeral procession will travel about two miles north and west to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, 8851 W. Higgins Road, Chicago.
“I hope there are no fires that day, because I think everyone who drives a fire truck is going to be here,” Friel said.
The village of Norridge issued a statement saying Cumberland Avenue between Lawrence Avenue and Foster Avenue will be closed Thursday from 9 a.m. until approximately noon “as there will be a large amount of fire apparatus, personnel and mourners stationed on Cumberland Avenue between Lawrence Avenue and Argyle Avenue.”
Visitation for Tchoryk will be held Wednesday, April 12 at Cumberland Chapels from 3 to 9 p.m.
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Tchoryk, 55, died as he led the Chicago Fire Department’s Tower Ladder 10 crew in a staircase trying to put out a morning fire at 1212 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, according to previous reporting. The fire occurred in a 27th floor apartment.
It was the second loss for the fire department in as many days. Firefighter Jermaine Pelt, 49, died April 4 in a West Pullman blaze, according to fire officials. Visitation for Pelt will take place Thursday from 3 to 10 p.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd St., Oak Lawn, and the funeral will take place Friday.