Progress ... hanging sheetmetal!!

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Sep 27, 2013 | 07:19 PM

#1381

Chicago Fire Patrol

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Fleet Mechanic

Joined: May 2007

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I may have some cool video of my truck on a fire scene in 1958. About 3 years ago on eBay I bought some 8mm home movies taken on a fire scene. I went to a photo shop today to have them convert the film to a DVD. I saw a brief clip of the movie and it showed a Patrol rig on the scene of a very big fire. Just about all the Patrol force was there so I an not 100% certain it is my truck. Once I get a chance to study the film better I will have a better idea. Unfortunately I did not have the minimum amount of film to make a DVD. I am going to try some other companies. There has got to be more footage out there somewhere. I check YouTube every so often and not much ever shows up.

Sep 27, 2013 | 08:55 PM

#1382

bobbytnm

Roast em' if you got 'em

Joined: Mar 2005

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From: Rio Rancho, NM

Very cool Keith.
It never would have crossed my mind that there might be old movie clips out there. Kudos to tracking it down.

Any word on Ron? still improving I hope

Bobby

Sep 28, 2013 | 07:35 AM

#1383

Chicago Fire Patrol

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Fleet Mechanic

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Thanks Bobby. I tried calling his wife last night but got no answer. I assume he is still improving otherwise I would of got a call. I will try again today.

Sep 29, 2013 | 05:49 PM

#1384

Chicago Fire Patrol

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Fleet Mechanic

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Ron DiRenzo passed today 7-8-30 - 9-29-2013

I just got the call from Ron's wife. I am so upset ......

He did get to see the book!! When he got too weak to look at it his family read it to him. He really liked it!!

RIP Ron!!

Sep 29, 2013 | 06:08 PM

#1385

arctic y block

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Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 14,325

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From: Island Southeast Alaska

My prayers are with you Keith and Ron's family and friends for strength in dealing
with his passing. He got to drive his old truck and see the book and hear it read.
He had some great friends.

Sep 29, 2013 | 06:15 PM

#1386

Chicago Fire Patrol

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Fleet Mechanic

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Thanks Rich ..... I really appreciate that.

Sep 29, 2013 | 06:25 PM

#1387

oldebrush

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2011

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Progress ... hanging sheetmetal!!

So sorry to read this news Keith. It sure was nice for Ron to be able to see your efforts come together. I know he was proud. May God bless him, and his family, and you too my friend. He will be missed.

Aloha, Tony

Sep 29, 2013 | 06:26 PM

#1388

bobbytnm

Roast em' if you got 'em

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 22,017

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From: Rio Rancho, NM

Keith,
I am very sorry to hear the news. My prayers are with your and yours and Ron's families.

I am very glad that you were able to have some great memories with him.
Bobby

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Sep 29, 2013 | 07:40 PM

#1389

Chicago Fire Patrol

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Fleet Mechanic

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Tony & Bobby .... thanks for the kind words. Another "Patroleo" as Chicago Fire Patrolmen were called is gone. It saddens me to think there are only around 20 of these men still with us. The youngest one living is 78.

Sep 29, 2013 | 07:51 PM

#1390

Rojak

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Joined: Feb 2011

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From: Central, IL

My thoughts and prayers also go out to Ron's family and to yours Keith. What you did for Ron was fantastic... getting him a last ride in the truck and caring enough to get him the book to look at. You brought a lot of happiness to him and I commend you for that.

Sep 29, 2013 | 08:11 PM

#1391

Chicago Fire Patrol

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Thanks Rob. Everyone's nice comments are making me feel better tonight.

One last pic of Ron .... in his Chicago Fire Dept Chief's dress uniform

Sep 29, 2013 | 08:58 PM

#1392

Harrier

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 9,690

Likes: 1,255

From: Jefferson City, MO

That's very sad news. Our prayers go out to Ron and his family.
Keith, what you did for Ron will be remembered by his family for a lifetime. Giving him the opportunity to not only see the truck he drove restored, but also getting to drive it one last time. The joy you gave him can't be matched. Then to top it off, he got the opportunity to see your book in his last days.

My hats off to you. God Bless.

Sep 29, 2013 | 09:33 PM

#1393

Chicago Fire Patrol

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Fleet Mechanic

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Thanks Joe

!

I can't remember if I posted this before but here is the foreword Ron wrote for the book:

 When asked by the author of this book to write a foreword for it, I quickly agreed to do so. I was very familiar with the subject of the book, the 1951 Ford F7, ID tag B46, the apparatus of Patrol # 5 of the Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol.

I was a member of this unit and also the regular driver at one time, so I responded to many an alarm either on the back step or behind the wheel of Patrol # 5. Truck #B46 had a Ford chassis, but the body was built by the Schukraft Company. The author has a special interest in the Chicago Fire Patrol, due to the fact that his grandfather was a Captain on the Patrol. I knew his grandfather and also worked with him. He was known as "Iron Mike" and was a good officer and a real gentleman. Keith has written a previous book on the Patrol. I just hope whoever reads this book will appreciate the time and effort he put into it. His books have brought back a lot of fond memories for me and are a great tribute to the hard working men who served on the Patrols. Many of these men went on to careers on the Chicago Fire Department.

There are very few of us "Patroleos" left but after all, it has been well over 50 years since the Chicago Fire Patrol went out of service. I want to thank Keith for restoring this apparatus. I know it took a lot of patience, hard work and a lot of money too! During the early part of the restoration of B46, I met with Keith at his home and had the good fortune of driving the rig. At that time the brakes were a little iffy, but it was a great thrill to be behind that same wheel a half a century later.

Thank you Keith for keeping alive the great memories of that wonderful organization:
The Chicago Fire Patrol.

Ron DiRenzo
Former "Patroleo"
Retired Battalion Chief
Chicago Fire Department

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Sep 29, 2013 | 10:38 PM

#1394

AXracer

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From: Durham NC

This is the post I dreaded seeing. Sorry and RIP Ron.

Sep 29, 2013 | 10:43 PM

#1395

51PanelMan

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2004

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From: San Jose, CA

Keith,

Thank you for letting us meet Ron as well. A truck may be just a truck, but the real history comes from those that used it. May Ron rest in peace and rescue all those that are above us.

This may not be possible, but is there a chance you can get the truck to give Ron his last ride? It would be a fitting tribute.