INFORMATION FROM PHIL HASKETT (RET)
Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2025 1:52 pmJames J. Friel, age 90, of Chicago, IL, passed away June 21, 2025. Over 60 years, he was a proud Chicago Firefighter, member of Local 2, a member of the brotherhood of the barrel, and a member of the Gaelic Fire Brigade. James was extremely social and could strike up a conversation with just about anybody. He enjoyed spending time with family, especially with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Loving husband of the late Ruth Friel. Beloved father of James (Maryellyn) Friel, Stephen (Anita) Friel, the late Eileen (Dan) Opferman, David Friel, Kathleen (Gus) Skapek, and Jennifer (Mike) Greene. Cherished grandfather of 19 grandchildren. Cherished great-grandfather of 5 great-grandchildren. Caring brother of Michael, Ann, Margie, the late Theresa, Jack, George, Tommy, and Andy. Dear son of the late James and the late Anna Friel. Kind uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation, Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 17248 S. Harlem Ave. Tinley Park, IL 60477. Prayers at the Funeral Home, Friday, June 27, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to St. George Church for 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. For more information (708) 532-1635 or www.vandenbergfuneralhome.com.
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Wilman Dones Garcia was born on 26 March 1952, known as Bili, Pops, Papi, Gordo, Pipon, Wilmer, Compai, Padrino, and Abuelo, has passed on to see our Lord and Savior. He was surrounded by family until his last breath on 12 June 2025.A man of few words but with many jokes, whose sense of humor resonates with us all. Whether you have known him since birth or have recently made his acquaintance, you know that he always had a smile on his face. Better stated, is that he had a cheesy wide grin with squinted eyes because he always found the simple pleasures in life. Those close to him know that his favorite place is on a comfortable recliner chair that won't give under his weight but if it does, no worries because he'll just order a steel base to be made. His favorite location has always been Mexico where he asked to be laid to rest. Surrounded by tranquility and beautiful lands in a small town near Morelia. Bili dedicated his life to the streets of Chicago as a Chicago Policeman and in line with service also lived his off-duty time helping others, no matter the task. A son, brother, cousin, father, Godfather, uncle, friend, Retired Chicago Policeman, and grandfather, what more could friends and family ask for. Wilman leaves behind his wife Selerina, adult children Wilman Jr., Emilio, Monica, Aixa, Julio, and many grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. https://www.beidelmankunschfh.com/obitu ... ituaryInfo.
From the CPD Daily bulletin 23 June 2025.
ALWAYS REMEMBERED!
William J. Allison .......... 1925
Thomas W. Kehoe ......... 1927
James C. Farley ............ 1927
MEETING NOTICE!
The Hellenic American Police Association (HAPA) is a not-for- profit police ethnic association, recognized by the CPD as a police ethnic association. The HAPA was founded by Elias Voulgaris (Chicago PD) to represent law enforcement officers of Hellenic heritage, including Greek Cypriots. The goal of the HAPA is to gather all who are of Hellenic heritage in order to maintain our proud careers, rich and proud heritage, culture, traditions, and Greek Cypriot upbringing, as well as our Greek Orthodox faith, while celebrating each other’s fellowship. We are one of four such associations; the others being the St. Paul’s Society of the NYPD, the Metropolitan Police Service Greek & Cypriot Association (MPS GCA) of London’s Metropolitan Police Service, and the Hellenic Police Association of the Victoria, Australia Police with whom we maintain brotherly ties. All law enforcement officers, active or retired from any law enforcement agency or department are invited and welcome to join the Hellenic American Police Association. General Membership Meetings are held the last Tuesday of every month at 1930 hrs. at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2701 N. Sheffield Ave. For further information, contact Cmdr.. Elias Voulgaris (Retired) at (312) 480 8612 or voulgariselias@gmail.com. In addition, our Chaplain, Fr. Chrysanthos “Chris” Kerkeres of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church is also a volunteer CPD Chaplain ministering to the spiritual needs of members who are of Greek or Eastern Orthodox faith. He can be reached at 708-243-4559.
Wilman Dones Garcia.png
Wilman Dones Garcia was born on 26 March 1952, known as Bili, Pops, Papi, Gordo, Pipon, Wilmer, Compai, Padrino, and Abuelo, has passed on to see our Lord and Savior. He was surrounded by family until his last breath on 12 June 2025.A man of few words but with many jokes, whose sense of humor resonates with us all. Whether you have known him since birth or have recently made his acquaintance, you know that he always had a smile on his face. Better stated, is that he had a cheesy wide grin with squinted eyes because he always found the simple pleasures in life. Those close to him know that his favorite place is on a comfortable recliner chair that won't give under his weight but if it does, no worries because he'll just order a steel base to be made. His favorite location has always been Mexico where he asked to be laid to rest. Surrounded by tranquility and beautiful lands in a small town near Morelia. Bili dedicated his life to the streets of Chicago as a Chicago Policeman and in line with service also lived his off-duty time helping others, no matter the task. A son, brother, cousin, father, Godfather, uncle, friend, Retired Chicago Policeman, and grandfather, what more could friends and family ask for. Wilman leaves behind his wife Selerina, adult children Wilman Jr., Emilio, Monica, Aixa, Julio, and many grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. https://www.beidelmankunschfh.com/obitu ... ituaryInfo.
From the CPD Daily bulletin 23 June 2025.
ALWAYS REMEMBERED!
William J. Allison .......... 1925
Thomas W. Kehoe ......... 1927
James C. Farley ............ 1927
MEETING NOTICE!
The Hellenic American Police Association (HAPA) is a not-for- profit police ethnic association, recognized by the CPD as a police ethnic association. The HAPA was founded by Elias Voulgaris (Chicago PD) to represent law enforcement officers of Hellenic heritage, including Greek Cypriots. The goal of the HAPA is to gather all who are of Hellenic heritage in order to maintain our proud careers, rich and proud heritage, culture, traditions, and Greek Cypriot upbringing, as well as our Greek Orthodox faith, while celebrating each other’s fellowship. We are one of four such associations; the others being the St. Paul’s Society of the NYPD, the Metropolitan Police Service Greek & Cypriot Association (MPS GCA) of London’s Metropolitan Police Service, and the Hellenic Police Association of the Victoria, Australia Police with whom we maintain brotherly ties. All law enforcement officers, active or retired from any law enforcement agency or department are invited and welcome to join the Hellenic American Police Association. General Membership Meetings are held the last Tuesday of every month at 1930 hrs. at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2701 N. Sheffield Ave. For further information, contact Cmdr.. Elias Voulgaris (Retired) at (312) 480 8612 or voulgariselias@gmail.com. In addition, our Chaplain, Fr. Chrysanthos “Chris” Kerkeres of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church is also a volunteer CPD Chaplain ministering to the spiritual needs of members who are of Greek or Eastern Orthodox faith. He can be reached at 708-243-4559.