New Boat, Scholarship Fund Honor Fallen Firefighter Christopher Wheatley

Christopher Wheatley may have been a simple man, but he was anything but ordinary.

He loved his family, friends and girlfriend, Jessica. He was an avid sports fan — particularly of the Chicago Bears — and enjoyed traveling whenever he had the chance.

Growing up in Lemont, he volunteered at and played football at . He was busy, but always smiling and enjoying life, family members said.

In 2000 he became a paramedic, a role his family said brought him great pride. In 2008 he fulfilled his dream of becoming a Chicago firefighter, and soon became known by his colleagues for his passion and dedication.

On Aug. 9, 2010, Wheatley, 31, died tragically after falling 53 feet from a ladder while fighting a restaurant fire in the city’s West Loop. He was the first Chicago firefighter to die while battling a fire in more than 12 years.

Immediately after Wheatley's death, his family chose to keep to themselves. They declined to speak to any media outlets as they dealt with the sudden loss of their son, brother, cousin and friend.

Now, nearly nine months later, Christopher Wheatley's mother, Mary Wheatley, is speaking for the first time about her son's life and the efforts that have been made to preserve his memory.

"For a long time, we were so struck with grief that it was difficult to process anything or know what to say," she said. "But, ultimately, we remember that Christopher was an extremely positive individual, and it wouldn't be honoring him if we didn't move forward. He wouldn't want it any other way."

A dream fulfilled

In the months following Christopher's death, Mary Wheatley has attended a number of memorials and special events for fallen firefighters — sometimes for her son, sometimes for complete strangers.

"We quickly learned about the camaraderie among firefighters and their families," she said. "The culture is something you have to experience to understand the discipline and how demanding the work is. My son chose that life, but it wasn't something I always understood."

According to Mary Wheatley, her son was "extremely focused" on his career — first as a paramedic, then as a firefighter — and he took his training very seriously.

"He was an extremely dedicated firefighter," said Tom Ryan, president of the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2. "He gave every ounce of himself on every single call. He's extremely missed by everyone in the Chicago Fire Department."

Wheatley became a paramedic in 2000 at 21, working briefly at the Romeoville Fire Department before heading to Chicago and working for Truck Company 2.

"I remember him being really passionate about what he did," said Romeoville Asst. Fire Chief Ed Panzer. "He was just a nice kid, very personable and always smiling."

After he became a firefighter, he eventually took on the role of the "ax man," which required him to carry heavy equipment up to the roof when fighting fires, Mary Wheatley said. It was a dangerous role, one he kept from his mother until the day he died.

"He wouldn't have told me he was going up on the roof like that, because he knew I would worry too much," she said. "The thing is that was just like him to be the first one up there. He thrived on that."

Although Wheatley said it has been difficult to come to terms with the tragedy surrounding Christopher's death, she takes solace in knowing how happy he was to be doing something he loved.

"It's like someone going into the military or police department. They're high-risk jobs, and no one should ever think they're not," Mary Wheatley said. "It takes a special person to do it.

"Many people work their whole lives and don't enjoy their jobs. My son loved his job, and he was good at his job. I can rest easy knowing he loved what he did and got great enjoyment out of it."

A Canadian coincidence

Although Christopher Wheatley has been honored through various ceremonies, including the retirement of his badge, his family learned just a few months ago of his biggest honor to date.

In August 2009, the city of Construction on the $8.5 million vessel began in March 2010, and was scheduled to be finished in about a year.

As the boat was nearing completion, Chicago fire officials approached the Wheatleys with a small request.

“They approached us shortly after Christopher’s badge was retired, and they told us they had commissioned this big, beautiful fire boat for the first time since the 1940s, and they wanted to name it the Christopher Wheatley,” Mary Wheatley said. “It was such an honor, and so fitting.”

It was also a strange coincidence.

When Christopher’s father found out about the boat, he asked fire officials for more details. The was being constructed by the Canadian company Hike Metal Products Ltd, which is based in a small town called Wheatley, Ontario.

“His mother and I both agreed, he’s talking to us. He’s sending a message that he’s all right and we’ll see you another day,” Daniel Wheatley told the Windsor Star last month.

The boat arrived in Chicago on April 19, and was formally commissioned during a special ceremony Thursday morning on Lake Michigan near Soldier Field. Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago fire officials and members of Christopher Wheatley’s family were all in attendance.

"This is such a special day for the family — once in a lifetime," Mary Wheatley said. "We say that he's always with us, and I think he'll be with Chicago Fire Department now in a very big way."

Scholarship fund, golf outing

While the new boat is stationed at the U.S. Coast Guard and Chicago Police Marine Headquarters on the Chicago River, efforts are under way to memorialize Christopher Wheatley in his hometown.

Almost immediately after his death, many of Wheatley's family members proposed the idea of setting up a scholarship in Christopher's name for students at Lemont High School, where he graduated in 1997.

His cousin Jennifer Rice Moore, a Lemont High School alumna, approached Assistant Principal Dave Clark with the idea.

"I remember being at Christopher's wake and having this moment where I knew we had to do something as a family," Moore said. "Something good had to come out of this tragedy."

The family set up the FF/PM Christopher D. Wheatley Memorial Foundation to raise money for two $1,000 scholarships — one for a student-athlete and one for a student interested pursuing a career in medicine or fire science.

"We're really happy that they are going to be giving back to the school in this way, and I think it's a special way for Chris to remain a part of Lemont," Clark said.

A golf outing is also planned for June 15, at to raise money for the scholarship fund. The event, which begins at 9 a.m. will include an informal grill dinner, raffles and drinks.

"The golf outing actually came about very suddenly after Christopher's passing because a group had actually canceled at Cog Hill, which is why we were approached," Mary Wheatley said. "To me it was just another sign that something positive was going to come from the sadness."

As the family moves forward with plans for the golf outing, they say they hope to award even more scholarships in the future.

“[Chris was] a hero, a legend and a role model,” Moore said.“His family, friends, acquaintances and even strangers were all absolutely inspired by that, even in our deepest darkest moments of grief. That is why I said that this was the only route for us to take.

“Chris is responsible for all of this. He is working through us.”

For more information on the Christopher Wheatley Memorial Golf Outing, visit http://www.golfinvite.com/golfing4chris.

 from the commissioning of the Christopher D. Wheatley in Chicago.