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Golf outing benefit to help late Lake Zurich firefighter’s family

A suburban U.S. Marine Corps veterans organization plans a golf outing to benefit the family of a Lake Zurich firefighter who recently died.

Scott Winters, junior vice commandant for the Marine Corps League’s Tri-County Leathernecks 1395 branch, said the outing in memory of Danny Gonzalez is set for a shotgun start at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Brae Loch Golf Club in Grayslake. A $150 ticket will include golf, cart, lunch, dinner and a raffle ticket.

Proceeds from the outing will go to help Gonzalez’s family.

Winters said Gonzalez, 49, died Aug. 1. The Lake Zurich firefighter and Marine Corps veteran is survived by his wife, Pam, and children Hillary, Mike, Cay and Miranda.

Gonzalez’s death not only was a blow to his family, Winters said, but also to his colleagues in the Tri-County Leathernecks and the Lake Zurich Fire Department. He particularly enjoyed sharing his expertise as a lead instructor for the Lake and McHenry Counties Specialized Response Teams.

“His knowledge about fire science and rescue techniques — teaching and showing these rookies and other veteran fire department members — is where he took solace. That’s what made him Danny,” Winters said.

Winters recalled how Gonzalez and two Lake Zurich firefighter pals, Steve Garris and Eric Ryan, were compelled to drive all night to help the New York Fire Department with the rescue effort and cleanup after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“Danny gave more than it seems he got,” Winters said.

Before joining Lake Zurich, Gonzalez worked at the South Elgin Fire Department and Vernon Hills-based Countryside Fire Protection District. He also had been a member of the Kane County sheriff’s office corrections response team.

Gonzalez, who lived in South Elgin, was involved with the Tri-County Leathernecks. Registration for the golf outing may be done at tri-countyleathernecks1395.com or by calling (224) 836-1775.

Winters said the golf gathering in Gonzalez’s memory is expected to become an annual event.

Twitter: @DHBobSusnjara

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