Funeral services will be held this week for Evanston Fire Captain Ron Shulga who died Thursday after a long battle with cancer.
The Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois ruled that Shulga’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, diagnosed in 2000, was linked to a transformer fire at the Varsity Theater in downtown Evanston that exposed Shulga to PCBs.
“Captain Shulga was a beloved member of the department who always went above and beyond to make things a little better for the next guy,” said Fire Chief Brian Scott. “He was always willing to help move the department forward. His presence will truly be missed by all.”
Shulga, who was a 29-year veteran of the department, was instrumental in maintaining the its self-contained breathing apparatus and radio communications, keeping others safe and connected.
A wake will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Donnellan Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
Visitation services will be held at 9 a.m. Friday at the funeral home followed by a procession to St. John Brebeuf Catholic Church, 8307 N. Harlem Ave., in Niles.
The procession will travel east into Evanston on Central Street to Fire Station 5, 2830 Central St., before traveling south on Green Bay Road and Asbury Avenue and west on Emerson Street to Fire Station 1, 1332 Emerson St., before continuing to the church where a funeral mass will begin at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Shulga’s name to Evanston Firefighters Local 742 Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 1275, Evanston IL. 60204
Captain Shulga
How very sad for him and his family, and the entire fire department. He was truly dedicated, and will be missed.