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Chicago Fire Department historian Ken Little>
Ken Little, a respected historian of the Chicago Fire Department and a retired senior fire alarm operator, passed away this week at the age of 84. Known for his deep knowledge of Chicago's fire history, Ken played a key role in co-authoring four volumes on the city’s firehouses alongside Father John McNalis. He was also a passionate guide who led bus tours highlighting significant events in the department’s past.
Ken was a beloved husband to the late Alice Bychowski, and a devoted father to his children: Kenneth, Robert (Kimberlee), Stephen (Rhonda), Philip (Lee), Richard, Raymond, Mary Ellen (Steve Cooper), Anna (Ron Stargardt), and Rita (Rich Carlson), as well as the late Thomas. He was also a proud grandfather to Timothy, Christine, Kevin, and Jenna, and a loving brother to the late Robert. His many nieces and nephews remember him with fondness.
A visitation will be held at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W. Lawrence Ave, Norridge, from 3 pm to 9 pm on Monday, December 11. Family and friends are invited to gather at St. Michael Church, 1633 N. Cleveland Ave, Chicago, at 10:15 am on Tuesday for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am. The interment will be private at All Saints Cemetery on Wednesday.
In addition to his work with the Fire Department, Ken was a long-time teacher of Chicago History at Wright Junior College. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago at 517 Senon Dr., Lemont, IL 60439-4093. For more information, call (708) 456-8300 or visit www.cumberlandchapels.com.
According to reports from chicagolocal.cbs.com, Ken was known for his incredible memory and passion for sharing stories. Father John McNalis, the Fire Department chaplain, often spoke about how conversations with Ken could last up to an hour, filled with fascinating details about Chicago’s firefighting history. Together, they spent 16 years compiling the four-volume history of Chicago firehouses.
McNalis described Ken as someone who never forgot a detail—names, dates, and even the exact location where he was when a call came in. Ken grew up in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood and remained deeply connected to the city throughout his life.
From chicagofd.org, there is a video showing Ken at work in the old Main Fire Alarm Office. Though the video is short, it captures a glimpse of the man who dedicated so much of his life to preserving the legacy of the Chicago Fire Department.
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