OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RICHARD M. DALEY
MAYOR
March 9. 201
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
i
I transmit herewith a resolution honoring the life and memory of Firefighter Corey D. Ankum.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
H resolution
adopted by ^Tie Qltlj QoUHCll
of** Gity of Qhicago, Illinois
presented by MAYOR RICHARD M. DALEY on MARCH 9, 2011
6VBCIS > A" °f Chicago mourns the loss of an outstanding man, who was a model citizen and a brave member of the Chicago Fire Department, on the morning of Wednesday, December 22, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Corey D. Ankum, thirty-four years old, perished together with his comrade Edward J. Stringer, Sr. from injuries sustained while battling a blaze on the City's South Side; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Ankum was fighting a fire in a vacant, one-story brick building on East 75th Street when a roof and wall collapsed, wounding him fatally and also injuring seventeen of his comrades; and
WHEREAS, Corey Ankum was the youngest of four children born to Johnnie and Marie Ankum on September 26,1976 in Chicago. He graduated from Charles H. Wacker Elementary School in 1990 and attended Thornton Fractional High School, graduating in 1994. In high school, Corey developed a love and a talent for basketball, which he continued to play with skill and zeal throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, After high school, Corey Ankum attended Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois, where he received an Associate's Degree in Business. He continued his education at Kendall College in Evanston, Illinois, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Business; and
WHEREAS, Corey Ankum worked for several years as Manager of the Jack & Jill Daycare, a family-run business, where he met the love of his life, Demeka J. Wade, in October of 1999. The happy couple was married on August 8, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Corey Ankum graduated from the Police Academy on November 13, 2008, then transitioned into the Chicago Fire Department, graduating from the Fire Academy on April 1, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Ankum was first and foremost a devoted family man, who cherished spending time with his wife and two lovely daughters, Demia and Baylee, and precious infant son Torey Dewayne Ankum; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Ankum was a favorite among his peers at the firehouse, who relished his warm, fun-loving personality, excellent cooking and ready jokes; and
WHEREAS, An avid sports fan, Firefighter Ankum counted as his favorite sports teams the San Antonio Spurs and the New England Patriots; and
WHEREAS, It is impossible to adequately measure or express the loss of such an excellent man, excellent firefighter, excellent parent and excellent friend; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Ankum is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Demeka; his beautiful children, Demia, Baylee, and Torey; his grandmother, Pearlie Strickland; his loving parents, Johnnie and Marie Ankum; his devoted siblings, Carol Walker, Charmain Ankum, Mary Teresa and Gerald Glover; his mother-in-law, Sharon Wade; his father-in-law, Thaddeus Jones, his brother-in-law, Thaddeus Jones, Jr.; three loving sisters-in-law, Debra Wade, Aja Jones and Yasmine Jones; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this ninth day of March, 2011, do hereby extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Firefighter Corey D. Ankum of the Chicago Fire Department; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Firefighter Corey D. Ankum as a sign of our sympathy and deep respect for his service to the City of Chicago.