CLEVELAND — Hearts had been heavy at Cleveland Fire Station 22 the place the firefighter Johnny Tetrick labored for greater than 20 years earlier than his loss of life over the weekend.
“I’m a better person from working with Johnny Tetrick,” mentioned firefighter Dan Zudic.
His colleagues, family and friends shared their most cherished recollections of Tetrick, from his robust work ethic to his recommendation.
“When I was told I was going to be assigned here, I didn’t know what to think,” said Zudic.
No one was a stranger to Tetrick, not even when Zudic was the new guy at Station 22, affectionately called “Double Deuces.”
“And you saw that Johnny Tetrick was on the schedule, you know it was going to be a good day,” said Zudic.
Tetrick had a larger-than-life presence at the firehouse.
“His smile on daily basis coming into work was infectious. When you left you needed to be the perfect you needed to give,” mentioned firefighter Ray Wacker.
Tetrick was identified to all the time be prepared for any name.
On at the present time, his helmet sat on the kitchen desk the place any downtime meant good laughs over good meals.
“It’s not often you get a good Korean dish at a firehouse, but he could whip up a great dish,” said Firefighter Robert Schwind.
Tetrick died last weekend in a hit-and-run. He was on duty trying to save lives after a crash on I-90.
Tetrick’s father is a retired Cleveland firefighter, a career Tetrick’s daughters say he always wanted.
“I begged him to retire as a result of it was such a harmful occupation,” mentioned his father, Kris Tetrick.
Throughout the station, there are recollections from that fateful evening, together with the board along with his identify and responsibility, his life as a firefighter and what mattered to him probably the most.
“It was about guiding them through life, that was it,” mentioned his greatest good friend, Greg Juratic.
Tetrick’s love for his daughters was evident from one take a look at his station locker. Pictures adorned each doorways.
“This is our family. We grew up here, we came here for birthdays, Christmases and everything, so this is where he was at, this is our family too,” said Tetrick’s daughter, Falon.
“Twenty-five years he stayed right here and I feel a giant a part of that’s he’s fiercely loyal,” mentioned his daughter, Eden.
“They lost a brother and we lost a dad,” said his daughter, Regan.
“These ladies at the moment are my ladies and I hope I do it proper,” mentioned Juratic.
Juratic described his relationship with Tetrick as inseparable.
“My day revolved around what his day was a lot of times and vice versa,” said Juratic.
Greg has two girls of his own and looked to Tetrick for advice.
“His recommendation is paramount, you’ll be able to’t get higher recommendation,” mentioned Juratic.
That sentiment was felt by his colleagues, each the veterans and the youthful crew.
“That helped make you a better person because you wouldn’t want to let Johnny down,” said Zudic.
Tetrick’s daughters say their dad worked four jobs, that he loved to help people and would always put others first.
His colleagues say Tetrick deserves a full arena this weekend as a tribute for his final goodbye and welcome anyone to come out to pay respects.
Details on Tetrick’s funeral service, from a Cleveland Fire Department news release, are below:
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 11 a.m. (doors open at 10 a.m.) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse at 1 Center Court in Cleveland. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and the Gateway complex are uniquely equipped and prepared to be the site of the funeral service.
The service is open to the public.
The processional route to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Saturday is below:
- Rt. 91 NB – Rt. 6 WB – Euclid WB – Dille/Nottingham NB – St. Clair WB – E. 79th SB – Superior WB – E. 9th NB – Erieside WB – Al Lerner Way WB – W. 3rd SB – St. Clair WB – W. 9th SB – W. Huron SE – Ontario SB – Carnegie EB – E. 9th NB – Bolivar WB – Under Garage Parking.
General parking for attendees is available at the East Garage.
Gates of entry for the general public include the Sherwin Williams entrance and the Cliffs entrance located on the corners of Huron Rd. and Ontario St. / Huron Rd and E. 6th St., respectively.
Road closures surrounding the arena
- Ontario/Huron Eastbound
- Ontario/Carnegie
- E. 9th / Carnegie
- E. 9th / Sumner
- E. 9th / Erie Court
- E. 9th @ Cemetery
- E. 9th / Bolivar – E/B Bolivar open from E. 9th
- E. 9th / Prospect
- Huron / Prospect
- E. 9th Pl / Huron
- E. 8th / Huron
- E. 7th / Huron
- E. 6th / Huron
- E. 4th / High St
Cleveland Police will be on site to direct and assist with the flow of traffic.
Those who do not plan to attend in person may view a live stream of the event via the Cleveland Division of Fire Facebook page.
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