Colleagues, loved ones honor fallen CFD Lieutenant Jan Tchoryk

As Tchoryk's funeral drew to a close, the Fire Department rang bells in a 3-3-5 sequence, the code that signals firefighters have returned to quarters after putting out a fire, but also a sound symbolizing the death of a firefighter in the line of duty.

Chicago police officers and firefighters inside the church then made their way outside to salute Tchoryk's casket before a procession to the cemetery for his burial. CBS 2's Kris Habermehl has more on Thursday's memorial tributes to Tchoryk.

Edward Kelly, general president of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), said like his colleagues, Tchoryk effectively took an oath that said "our lives are a little less precious than someone who's in trouble."

"That's not fair for our families, who have to endure the sacrifices and the risks that come with this job, but there's a certain pride in it. There's a certain bit of God's work here on Earth that comes with fulfilling that oath. That's a lesson we're taught from the very beginning as firefighters: that others come first," he said.

Kelly said it's lucky that more firefighters didn't die at the same high-rise fire where Tchoryk lost his life.

"It's hard to explain the stress of running into a burning building, let alone the risks posed to a fire 27 stories in the sky, with smoke at times that banked all the way down to the lobby, and a fire that blew down that hallway, driven by the wind like a blowtorch, and carrying the stress that there were still people trapped in that building," he said. "Thank God those other injured firefighters were not killed."

Kelly said Tchoryk set an example for all of his family and fellow firefighters to live by.

"He taught us all how to love. He taught us all how to serve. His entire live, he lived for others," he said.

Kelly also presented Tchoryk's son, Chicago police officer Dylan Tchoryk, with the Martin E. Pierce Medal of Valor, the highest honor in the IAFF. 

Tower Ladder 10 firefighter James Davis said Tchoryk would always tell jokes, even explaining them, and giving characters their own voices.

"If he thought it was funny, it was funny, that was it; and if you thought it was funny, you're going to be there another five minutes to hear another funny joke referring back to the joke, probably from one of the characters from the previous joke," Davis said.

Davis also recalled Tchoryk giving driving lessons to his fellow firefighters, frequently telling stories about his family, showing off pictures, and telling his colleagues about the special tea his second wife would make him every morning.

"What I remember about Jan's character the most is on emergency responses, he never yelled when he got excited. In fact, he spoke even calmer. He never panicked, and he answered the bell without pause," he said. "A Chicago firefighter's heroic story is now one that I know, and you should consider yourself honored if you got to be in any of Jan's adventures."

CFD Lt. Richard Florczak, the officer on Engine 4, at the same firehouse where Tchoryk served as officer on Tower Ladder 10, said on the day Tchoryk died, he and Tchoryk had the sad duty of informing their fellow firefighters of the circumstances of the death of firefighter Jermaine Pelt the day before.

It wasn't long after that that they responded to the high-rise fire where Tchoryk died.

"Jan's last act of bravery, and his last act of this Fire Department, was assisting the members attack this fire, and ensuring the safety of his members getting out of that fire, and finding a place of refuge three, four floors below," he said.

Florczak said he couldn't have asked for a better partner than Tchoryk.

"We had the same ideas on how to build this family," he said. "Jan's going to be missed by all of us."

Choking back tears, Tchoryk's niece and goddaughter Laryssa Osyka said when her father called her on April 5 and asked her to sit down, she immediately knew something was wrong.

"The words Uncle Janny died will forever echo in my mind. I couldn't believe it. My dad was trying his best to hold it together, and I think it was the shock and disbelief in my voice that him crack, because in the moments that followed, we were both crying together on the phone," she said.

Just a few weeks earlier, she had been helping her uncle make plans to visit her in Texas, where she was preparing to graduate.

"He was excited to see me walk across the stage, receiving my diploma. I, on the other hand, was excited to goof around and bicker with him. He was one of the best people to bicker with, because it always ended on a playful note, and usually one of us was cracking up," she said.

Osyka said her uncle had an infectious smile, and often talked about how much he enjoyed serving in the Navy before becoming a firefighter.

"Jan was many things; a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, godfather, and friend. TO many he was also a comedian, and boy was he a good one. From telling jokes to pulling pranks, this is the truth that remains: my Uncle Janny would have you in stitches, and your abs hurting in short order," she said.

Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt said, while she didn't know Tchoryk personally, she has learned a lot about him from his family, including his love for motorcycles and the outdoors, and his pride in his family and Ukrainian heritage.

"I know Jan loved life, and he loved adventure, and most importantly he loved to serve. So he lived his life," Nance-Holt said.

Noting that Tchoryk's fellow firefighters all consider themselves brothers and sisters, despite coming from different backgrounds, Nance-Holt said it's not just a motto that they are there when they're needed, it's "a way of life."

"Right now, the brave members of the Chicago Fire Department and the Tchoryk family need Chicago. We need Chicago, because this is one of the worst weeks of our lives. We've never seen anything like this," she said.

Chicago Fire Department chaplain Father Bill McFarlane said he didn't know Tchoryk personally, so he turned to Facebook to learn more about him, noting he finished most of his posts with "be positive."

"He has been a beloved son, brother, husband, father, brother-in-law, friend, and respected lieutenant in the Chicago Fire Department," McFarlane said. "While looking at his Facebook, it was easy to see that his life was all about service."

Tchoryk was not only a longtime firefighter, but a Navy veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm.

"He loved this country, and believed in its promise. You could tell by the amount of pictures he had of his 'I voted' stickers," McFarlane said.

Executive director Kelly Weller of the EMWQ Retirees, Widows, and Children's Fund tells CBS 2 they are accepting donations in memory of Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Jan Tchoryk.

The funds will be used to provide widows and children of fallen firefighters with ongoing relief and support.

To donate, visit widowsandchildren.org.

CBS 2's Shardaa Gray spoke with a mother from Norridge who says the majority of the neighborhood is officers and firefighters. She wanted to bring her sons to show how the brotherhood comes together.

Chicago police bagpipers played "Balmoral," a traditional funeral tune as Lt. Jan Tchoryk's casket made its way from the funeral home to St. Joseph Ukrainian Church.

Tower Ladder 10, for which Tchoryk served as lieutenant, led the procession, carrying a floral tribute, as Engine 4, from the same firehouse, carried Tchoryk's turnout gear and casket.

CBS 2's Kris Habermehl, a lieutenant and training officer with the Kirkland Fire Department, has more on the somber funeral procession.

The procession from Cumberland Chapels funeral home to St. Joseph Ukrainian Church began shortly after 9 a.m., with hundreds of firefighters lining the streets to salute their fallen brother.

CBS 2's Jackie Kostek and Andrew Ramos have more from the scene along the procession route.

Firefighters and first responders line along Cumberland as the procession is underway toward St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church. 

Lt. Tchoryk's niece and goddaughter Laryssa Osyka, fellow firefighters Richard Florzcak and James Davis, and Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt will offer tributes at his funeral.

The funeral for fallen Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Jan Tchoryk will take place at 10 a.m. at  St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church. CBS 2's Jackie Kostek will bring you the latest throughout the morning.