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.
Today, 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.
Funeral Information
In consideration of the safety of our guests and associates, Blake-Lamb Funeral Home will adhere to the current gathering restrictions in the state of Illinois, which allow 50 or fewer guests at services. Proper social distancing must be practiced, no outside food or drink allowed, and all guests will be required to wear face masks at all times. Thank you for your cooperation.
Visitation
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
3:00 to 8:00 pm
Blake Lamb Funeral Home
4727 W. 103rd Street
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Visitation will also be held Thursday, 10:00 am until the time of Mass at 11:00 am at Saint Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel at Saint Rita High School.
Funeral Mass
Thursday, March 11, 2021
11:00 am at Saint Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel at Saint Rita High School
7740 S. Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60620
To access the live stream, scroll to the video player at the bottom of the page.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Chicago Fire Department Gold Badge Society at cfdgoldbadgesociety.org.
For more information about the funeral, please contact (708) 636-1193.
