The Village of Flossmoor is mourning the death of retired Flossmoor Fire Chief Gregory C. Berk, who died on Saturday, June 18.
Berk started his fire service career with the Flossmoor Fire Department in 1967 as a volunteer firefighter. In 1978, he was sworn in as the village’s first full-time fire chief serving for 25 years.
He was instrumental in bringing the first transport ambulance into the fire department and building the current fire station. Under his leadership, the department experienced many significant accomplishments, from updating the entire fleet of apparatus to providing the village with 24/7 staffing.
Following his retirement in 2003, Berk served as fire chief for 10 years in Wheaton, and as interim fire chief for the village of Roselle for six months in 2015.
In April 2020, Berk came out of retirement to again serve Flossmoor as interim fire chief for a period of one year.
He was very active throughout his career, participating and serving as past president of the Illinois Firefighters Association and Flossmoor Volunteer Fire Department Corporation; as a founding chief of the West Suburban Fire Rescue Alliance and Tri-City planning group; as an adjunct faculty member for 16 years with Southern Illinois University; and served many other local and regional organizations.
Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson expressed gratitude for Berk’s service to the village.
“Former Chief Berk was instrumental in building our fire department,” she said. “His work, and the work of his fellow firefighters, saved countless lives and we are forever grateful. He was admired by many and will be remembered for his service and love of Flossmoor.”
He is survived by his wife Donna and children Rachel, Joshua, and Matthew, who serves as Flossmoor assistant fire chief.