Chicago City Council October 27, 2021
RESOLUTION HONORING GONZALO "GONZO" RUIZ JR. ON RETIREMENT FROM THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, First responders are the backbone of Chicago, sacrificing so much to keep our communities safe; and
WHEREAS, Gonzalo "Gonzo" Ruiz Jr. gave 30 years as a proud Chicago Firefighter; and
WHEREAS, He was the eldest son of Mexican immigrants, Gonzalo and Teresita, who raised him and his three siblings in the Humboldt Park neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, He graduated from Maternity B.V.M. Catholic School in Humboldt Park in 1978, and then went on to graduate from Weber High School in 1982; and
WHEREAS, He joined the US Marine Reserves while attending Loyola University, then welcomed a son, Trinidad Gonzalo; and
WHEREAS, He was called to active duty and served honorably in the First Desert Storm; and
WHEREAS, Gonzo was called to serve as a Firefighter, graduating in 1991 and achieving the rank of Lieutenant; and
WHEREAS, He married Deyanira Escobedo and had two children, Benjamin Gonzalo and Isabella Juliana; and
WHEREAS, He achieved the rank of Captain-EMT, and after an esteemed career of public service and leadership, is retiring this year after 30 years in the Chicago Fire Department; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of Chicago, gathered here this 27th day of October 2021, do hereby call public attention to Gonzalo Ruiz's lifetime of service to our nation and city, and wish him a happy, fulfilling retirement; and
Gilbert Villegas Alderman ofthe 36,h Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That three suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Gonzalo Ruiz Jr. and his family as a token of our gratitude for his leadership and dedication to serving the people of Chicago.