By Mike Nolan
The Daily Southtown, Tinley Park, Ill.
TINLEY PARK, Ill. — Mark Zielinski, a 13-year veteran of the Matteson Fire Department, was described as “a good man, a good firefighter” during funeral services in Harvey on Friday.
Zielinski, 49, of Beecher, died Dec. 4 after giving CPR to a customer at the Matteson Wal-Mart. Prior to working in Matteson, Zielinski had been a firefighter in Harvey for several years.
Firefighters from around the Chicago area, as well as from departments outside the area, filed into St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, where the Rev. Edward Domanski told mourners that Zielinski died in the line of duty while “trying to save the life of another person.”
He called all firefighters “dedicated people,” adding, “I always give them a blessing” when he sees them heading out on a call.
Area departments represented at the ceremony included Matteson, Harvey, Beecher, Oak Forest, Homewood, Dolton and Country Club Hills. Domanski referred to the turnout for their fallen brother, the “beautiful presence of you.”
Firefighter Brian DeGroot, an engineer with the Harvey Fire Department who worked alongside Zielinski for 14 years, told mourners that “love” was the keyword to describe Zielinski, who “died trying to save a stranger.” Zielinski was born in Harvey and lived in the city for 44 years before moving to Beecher, according to his obituary.
DeGroot said Zielinski was well known for his good humor and playing practical jokes on co-workers, but that when it came to performing his job he was “punctual, prepared.”
“Above all, he was passionate about family and work,” DeGroot said.
Dozens of firefighters stood at attention outside the church as Zielinski’s flag-draped casket was placed atop his truck, Engine 9, which was draped with black and purple bunting. His gear was carefully set out in front of the engine before a procession of fire vehicles left the church to travel to Washington Memory Gardens in Homewood.
Zielinski was among the paramedics responding to a Dec. 4 call related to a male customer suffering from an apparent heart attack, and while performing CPR on the victim Zielinski suffered apparent heart problems as well. A second ambulance was called and the firefighter/paramedic was taken to Franciscan St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields. The customer was also taken to a hospital.
An autopsy showed that Zielinski died of natural causes and suffered from heart problems.
Survivors include his wife, a brother, seven children, a stepson and two stepdaughters, according to his obituary posted at the website of Hack Funeral Home in Beecher.
The 100 Club of Chicago, which assists the families of fallen first responders, is helping Zielinski’s family with financial contributions to cover expenses and is also soliciting donations at its website,.
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©2015 The Daily Southtown (Tinley Park, Ill.)