$10,000 Raised in Honor of Late Hinsdale Deputy Fire Chief

The second Big's Bare Knuckle Softball Tournament was held at Veeck Park in Hinsdale Sunday in honor of Deputy Chief Mark Johnson, who died while on duty in 2010.

The following is a release from the Hinsdale Fire Department: The second annual Big’s Bare Knuckle Softball Tournament, hosted over the weekend by the Hinsdale Fire Department to honor late Deputy Chief Mark Johnson, helped raise $10,000 for Hinsdale’s Safety Village. The money will also be used to send at least one child to Camp I Am Me, a two-week summer camp for child burn victims. The one-day tournament took place Sunday at Veeck Park in Hinsdale. Several local fire departments participated, including Western Springs, Westmont, Oak Brook, Clarendon Hills, LaGrange Park and the Pleasantview Fire Protection District. The Hinsdale public works department also participated, winning the championship for the second straight year after a …

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Softball Tournament to Honor 'Big'

Hinsdale firefighters, police officers and other village staff will raise money in memory of the late Deputy Fire Chief Mark Johnson.

When balls and strikes are called Sept. 18, it will be honor of the late Deputy Fire Chief Mark Johnson. The Hinsdale Professional Firefighter’s Association will host Big’s First Bare Knuckle Softball Tournament at Veeck Park in Hinsdale. The event was created to honor Johnson, affectionately known as "Big," who lost his life in the line of duty in September 2010. The one-day tournament starts in the morning and will end in the early evening hours. The Hinsdale Fire Department will play the Hinsdale Police Department, Public Works Department and other fire departments from the surrounding area. In addition to softball, several events are planned including a silent auction, raffle, fire truck displays and a bounce house for children. Food …

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Hinsdale Remembers Gentle Giant

Hinsdale ER Nurse: Deputy Chief Helped Us Get Certified

Adventist Hinsdale Hospital nurse Christina Nelson remembers Deputy Chief Mark Johnson.

"I've known Mark since I was a teenager. Mark was the type of guy who—when he saw an intense or highly stressful situation—could deflate it with a joke. He would do that a lot for the staff in the ER when things were hectic. When I was a nursing student, he would let my friends and I come to the fire department to practice on their dummies. He loved practical jokes. One time he asked us if we wanted to see the inside of the firetrucks, and we were all excited and said, 'Sure!' While we were looking at everything, he said, 'Why don't you try that button?' Someone pressed it, and there was a loud noise. We were all freaking out, and he was just standing there laughing. He gave us a lot of good practicing tips and helped a lot of us nursing …

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Hinsdale Remembers Gentle Giant

Hinsdale Deputy Chief 'Wipes Out' Neighbor's Need

Amy DeCraene remembers Deputy Chief Mark Johnson.

"One time I was talking with Mark and I said something about how I needed new windshield wipers, and the next day he had bought them for me."—Amy DeCraene, Johnson family neighbor

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Hinsdale Remembers Gentle Giant

Hinsdale Deputy Chief 'Pitched In'

Emergency Room Manager Noreen Connelly remembers Deputy Chief Mark Johnson.

"A long time ago, when my kids were little, I ran the pitch-in-kitchen at the baseball field. I used to go to Sam's Club to buy cases and cases of gatorade. I was parked in front of the building and was struggling to load it all in my car. Mark pulled up and asked if I needed help. I had just met him recently. I told him no, that I could handle it. But he got out of the car and said, 'Absolutely not. I'm not going to let you do this yourself,' and helped me load my car. He asked me if there was someone at the baseball field who could help me unload it. I said yes, but I didn't. I was embarrassed to say no. Somehow he just knew, so he said he would follow me in his car, just in case. He followed me all the way to the baseball field from …

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Hinsdale Remembers Gentle Giant

Hinsdale Hospital Security Officer: 'That Was Amazing to Me'

Miguel Luna Remembers Deputy Chief Mark Johnson.

"There was a single parent working for us [when Mark Johnson worked here]. She was in need. Mark told her he was getting some new furniture and didn't need some of his anymore. He ended up giving her a whole bedroom set. I don't know if it was true or not [that he was getting new furniture and didn't need it], but he had it to give to her, and he did. That was amazing to me."—Miguel Luna, Adventist Hinsdale Hospital security officer

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Wake Scheduled for Hinsdale Deputy Fire Chief Mark Johnson

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, Sept. 24.

A wake has been scheduled for Deputy Fire Chief Mark Johnson, who died while on duty Monday. Johnson had just returned from an emergency services call and was taking part in physical fitness training when he collapsed. He was found unresponsive in the fire station's workout room. On duty members tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to the Hinsdale Hospital emergency room. Johnson worked in Hinsdale his entire life. He was the department's training officer and paramedic coordinator for several years and trained a generation of Hinsdale firefighters. He started with the department in 1986 and became the first firefighter/paramedic in the history of the department in 1988. He was promoted to …

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