Ceremonious Send-Off For Retiring Fire Chief Terry Mastandrea

It was an emotional and poignant send-off for retiring Lake Zurich Fire Chief Terry Mastandrea on July 15.

Promptly at 4 p.m., the sound of bagpipes filled the air around Fire Station No. 1 and the traditional walk-out ceremony began. 

More than 100 friends, family members, firefighters, paramedics and elected officials filled the lawn and driveway in front of the firehouse.

As the bagpipe music continued, the fire department doors opened and an honor guard filed out. 

Salutes were given by all fire department personnel in attendance, which included not only Lake Zurich firefighters, but also representatives of many departments from Buffalo Grove to Skokie.

The honor guard was followed by Mastandrea, his wife, daughter, two sons and his mother. 

The music abruptly stopped, and all attention shifted to member of the honor guard, who slowly began to lower the American flag. They ceremoniously folded it and presented it to Mayor Suzanne Branding, who stood nearby.

Branding presented the flag to Mastandrea, commemorating his 21 years of service as village fire chief.

After some personal words from the mayor, not audible to the crowd, Administrator Bob Vitas then approached Mastandrea to present him with his fire helmet. 

Vitas also quietly spoke to Mastandrea as bystanders looked on.

Then, silence fell upon the crowd as the “last tone out” was given to honor Mastandrea’s years of public service.

The last tone out symbolizes the last call taken, which is also part of the order by the mayor that proclaims official retirement.

The honor guard then led the Mastandrea family back into the firehouse as the crowd cheered. 

“Today is a day that we can be very sad at saying goodbye, but instead think of smiling for having Chief Mastandrea for 21 years, and weren’t we fortunate to have him,” said Branding.

David Stollman, chairman of the Lake County Board read a proclamation saluting Mastandrea’s career.

“I don’t know who to thank and who to start with. Everybody here, I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Mastandrea. “I received support from all of you.”

“I leave the fire service going to a different chapter. My goal and the mission is that our job is to leave things in a better place than we started, and we are in a much better place, giving great service to our residents,” Mastandrea said.

Then, showing the true commitment of firefighters, the fire radio sounded reporting a two alarm-fire in Deer Park. 

Two engines carrying seven personnel from Fire Station No. 1 prepared to leave.

Mastandrea then ended the ceremony by presenting interim Fire Chief Dave Wheelock with a gift. 

“People indicated when I put in my retirement letter that there would be some big shoes to fill; I want to assure Dave that those shoes aren’t as big as people think they are,” Mastandrea said.

Wheelock was presented with a boys size 11 patent leather shoe, and the celebration then moved on to a local restaurant to continue to honor the chief’s long and committed career.

The bagpipe player walked away, continuing to play his music, as the fire engines headed out to answer the call.

Editor’s note: Check back with Patch for more video from the “Walk-Out Ceremony.”