The Board of Directors and Staff of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and the Fire Hero Family community as we mourn the loss of our friend Eileen Coglianese on March 4, 2021.
Eileen was the widow of Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Edmond P. Coglianese, who died in the line of duty in 1986. In 1991, she became one of the founding board members of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Gold Badge Society, a support group and advocate for families of line-of-duty death firefighters and paramedics of the CFD. In the early years, she served as its founding Secretary and later served as President over the organization’s 30-year history. She was instrumental in the creation of the Chicago Fire Department Fallen Firefighter/Paramedic Memorial Park on Chicago’s lakefront. Eileen also supported other families in the Illinois Survivors Group.
Eileen was a former NFFF Advisory Committee member from 2009 to 2014. She had volunteered at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend since 1998, and supported families at the IAFF Annual Firefighter Memorial. She also served in the Foundation’s Taking Care of Our Own® training program and addressed many firefighter candidates on the importance of firefighter life safety.
NFFF Board of Directors Chairman Troy Markel said, “Eileen was selfless in her actions and time to support others. She will be truly missed, as she had a genuine and kind heart, and treated the Foundation as part of her family. Her significant contributions nationwide, to the Chicago fire service, and to the Fire Hero Family community will always be remembered.”
Please keep Eileen’s daughter Allyson; son Matthew and daughter-in-law Cindy; cherished granddaughters Sophia and Isabella; her sisters and family in your thoughts and prayers.
