Palatine police and firefighter/paramedics responded about 3:09 PM Wednesday, December 30, 2015 to a report of a man down on the steps at the Palatine American Legion Hall Post #690 at Palatine Road and Greeley Street Palatine, IL. Police and firefighter/paramedics received a report that a woman was driving by on Palatine Road when she noticed a man down by the steps, and found him unresponsive and not breathing.
Palatine firefighter/paramedics from Ambulance 84 and Squad 85 were dispatched and arrived within a couple of minutes. The crew from Quint 85 added themselves to the call — recognizing the potential serious nature of the EMS call.
Firefighter/paramedics went to work with CPR and Advanced Life Support and detected a pulse in about 11 minutes. The man, identified as retired Arlington Heights Fire Lt. John Jarosz, Jr. was rushed to Northwest Community Hospital, and placed on a respirator. With friends and family at his side, John “John Boy” Jarosz, Jr. passed away at 8:07 p.m. Saturday.
As a member of American Legion Merle Guild Post #208 “John Boy” is remembered as a true volunteer. He was elected in 2014 as the Sons of the American Legion Detachment (State) Commander at the 51st annual convention of the Illinois Sons of the American Legion held in Mattoon, at Lawrence Riddle Post #88.
In 2014, the Sons of the American Legion, Detachment of Illinois donated over $18,000.00 to the Child Welfare Foundation. In 2013, the Sons of American Legion all donations collected totaled $272,615.70. The Sons of the American Legion, a program of the American Legion, works closely with the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and the American Legion Riders to promote its obligation to the veterans, communities and children of Illinois and beyond.
Early in his career as a firefighter with the Arlington Heights Fire Department, he volunteered his personal vehicle — a K5 style large 4WD Chevy Blazer — into service. His personal vehicle functioned as an EMS/Rescue Squad during a heavy snowstorm. He served 30 years with the Arlington Heights Fire Department.
John Jarosz at American Legion Merle Guild Post #208 (SOURCE: Facebook).
Along with many activities at the American Legion Post 208, he made sure the American Legion baseball tournament ran smoothly at Recreation Park, and also volunteered with food operations during Frontier Days.
He was also the previous volunteer coordinator for Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraising by Arlington Heights Firefighters Local 3105. Jarosz graduated from Prospect High School.
Firefighter John Jarosz early in his career (SOURCE: Facebook).
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