Many of you know Rick Kolomay, the Assistant Deputy Fire Chief of the Carol Stream Fire Protection District. Rick and his brother Chicago, Schaumburg and Aroura firefighters raced to New York City on the afternoon of September 11th, 2001 to assist their FDNY counterparts as Ground Zero.

Rick and his dearest friend Chicago Fire Department Assistant Fire Commisioner Bobby Hoff literally wrote the book on fire satety, and tha book is used to teach firefighters around the world.

On Sunday, January 18th, 2009, Rick's beloved mother, Catherine passed away. Below is the tribute that Rick read this morning at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Schaumburg, Illinois.

       The Passing of Catherine Ann Kolomay

by: Rick Kolomay

It is with my regrets to announce the passing of my mother, Catherine Ann Kolomay (75). On Sunday morning around 7:15AM, Schaumburg's finest responded to the 911 call from my father to find that she had passed. There are many members of the Schaumburg Fire Department who for the last several years repeatedly responded to Catherine, treated her, saving her life, and transported her to the hospital. Those firefighters and paramedics, as well as the many doctors who contributed to her fight to live are all to be credited for keeping her alive.

It is easier and more appropriate to talk about the little girl who grew up west of the Chicago “Loop” in a predominantly poor Italian neighborhood at Racine Avenue and Grand Avenue in the 1930's, 40's, and 50's. As a granddaughter of Italian immigrants, and the daughter of a house painter, with an at-home mother, she shared everything with an older brother and sister. When in grammar school living across from the Otis Elementary school yard, it was not uncommon for the Capone family car to pull up with Capone’s children, allowing them to play with the neighborhood kids under the watchful eye of mob guards. Then again Catherine would tell the story of how those same mob guardsmen would also buy ice cream cones for all the kids after playtime at a time when Depression era kids could only dream of such luxuries. As a little girl, she would always wonder why she and her sister would get a little something extra like a piece of hard candy from "those men in suits"… In later years she was sure it was her mother's maiden name of Luciano which had some direct ties with the Capone family in those days.

My mom met my dad at Wells High School in 1946. It was a match that would last in marriage for 57 years. Getting married in 1951 at Fort Sill in Oklahoma after Sully was drafted into the U.S. Army to go to Korea, it to, was a story to remember of the Oklahoma heat, taking old trains to and from Chicago, and only having enough money to eat peanut butter sandwich's to make it all happen. Catherine then became the wife of a Chicago fireman in 1953 and hung in there through the good times and the bad until Sully's retirement in 1992. The bad times involved an era when many firefighter deaths occurred during 50's and 60's. Many of which were close friends and co-workers of my dad's, which rang all too close to home for her. The good times were the many practical jokes that Catherine had to endure that all came from the firehouse. None of which were in the best interest of Sully after they were played. As a kid I remember him first laughing at his own jokes; then running down the hall with an angry hot blooded Italian wife of 4' 10' chasing him sometimes with a measuring stick, a ladle, and even a knife one time! Then of course the many stray firehouse dogs that were brought home for her to chase after or get bitten by. This was all in addition to raising two boys.

Catherine worked hard as a professional, ascending to the 14th floor of the Tribune Tower in downtown Chicago, managing 125 family trusts for the distinguished Cowles Family. She helped to convert the office from paper to computer; expanded its services to the family; and adding personnel and professionalism to the office until it was time for her to retire in 1994, but remain as an at-home consultant.

After a long bout with diabetes and congestive heart failure, the many trips to the hospital by ambulance, IVs, and surgeries, Catherine had finally succumbed to her long fight to live, and is resting peacefully. For some reason, and however faithful, the whole family came together this past Saturday afternoon at her home. Sully was looking at a new  beautiful book written by two very close friends from France about the Chicago Fire Department, when he asked if they were going to sell the book in Chicago - we all looked up and laughed realizing that whole book was written in French; so why would he ask such a thing!?!? She smiled, rolled her eyes and shook her head knowing it was a typical thing from 'Sully'. There were kisses goodbye, a hug, and a long gaze. It was to be the last time I’d see her … little did I know.

Catherine is survived by her husband Sully, two sons Rick and Rob, daughter-in-law Patti, and three grandchildren; Brandon, Carissa, and Noelle.

Today, The Kolomay Family was surrounded by friends, family and the entire Chicago and Chicago-area firefighting community. Our prayers are with Sully Kolomay, Rob, Rick and his family. You can contact Rick at rksfdsqd1@AOL.com

Catherine's favorite color was pink. Rick, Rob, Sully wore pink shirts and ties in her honor.