Retired Arlington Hts. firefighter volunteered for many causes

A retired Arlington Heights fire lieutenant, who rose through the ranks but never tired of driving the engine and responding to fires, died unexpectedly last week at age 58.

According to his colleagues, Lt. John Jarosz Jr. collapsed Dec. 30 on the steps of the Palatine American Legion Hall Post 690. Paramedics were able to regain a faint pulse before rushing him to Northwest Community Hospital, where he died three days later.

Those who served with Jarosz in the Arlington Heights Fire Department recalled his passion for the fire service, stemming back to his years as a fire cadet while attending Prospect High School.

Jarosz joined the Arlington Heights force in 1977, one year after graduating from Prospect. He was 19 and his fellow firefighters quickly nicknamed him, "John Boy," after the popular television character at the time on "The Waltons."

"He was a true firefighter from day one," said Rolling Meadows Deputy Fire Chief Terry Valentino, who formerly served with Jarosz. "He was a go-getter and really motivated."

Jarosz came up through the department quickly, training to become a paramedic before being named an engineer, and ultimately being promoted to lieutenant in 1987, 10 years after he started.

"He was a good fireman, who knew his job and loved coming to work," added Arlington Heights Fire Cmdr. William Kidd. "He taught the guys who worked for him how to be better firemen. He was a fireman first, but also a teacher and a mentor."

Prospect Heights Deputy Chief Drew Smith also came out of the fire cadet program at Prospect High School, though a few years after Jarosz. He recalls that on Jarosz's days off in Arlington Heights, he worked part time for the Northbrook Fire Department in its Fire Prevention Bureau.

"He was 100 percent a fireman," Smith said.

Jarosz served 32 years with the department before retiring in 2010. During his time there, he also took an active role with the Arlington Heights Firefighters Association, Local 3105, serving as secretary for many years and leading members in community outreach projects.

Kidd credits Jarosz with enlisting union members in fundraising for the Multiple Dystrophy Association. Arlington Heights firefighters held their "Fill the Boot" campaign in May for the 25th year and raised more than $32,000.

Jarosz also volunteered with the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance's "Camp I Am Me" for young burn victims, and actively promoted all of the union's philanthropies.

"He was an old school firefighter," Valentino added. "He took everyone under his wing and you were better for it."

In his retirement, Jarosz threw himself into the Sons of the American Legion, where he was elected last year as president of the state organization.

Jarosz never married. He is survived by his mother, Lorraine, and brother, Jim. He was preceded in death by his father, John Jarosz Sr.

Visitation will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Friedrichs Funeral Home, 320 W. Central Road in Mount Prospect.