Huntley Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Albert Schlick, who had over 30 years of fire service, died Tuesday evening following a two-month battle with a duty-related illness.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Fire District announces the death of retired Division Chief Al Schlick last evening,” the Wauconda Fire District said in a statement.
Albert W. Schlick III began his career as a paid-on-call firefighter with the Wauconda Fire District in November 1987. He transitioned to a full-time position in June of 1991, rising up through the ranks to Division Chief of Training.
Schlick retired from Wauconda in July 2015 and joined the Huntley Fire Protection District to serve as the deputy chief.
“Chief Schlick made everyone around him a better person. His passion, love, and knowledge of the fire service is what made him a mentor to so many,” Wauconda fire officials said in the statement.
“Chief Schlick had the ability to see the potential in people entering the fire service and help them achieve their best potential. His advice was sought out by young and old across this great nation,” the statement added.
Schlick became ill with a duty-related illness which he battled beginning November 3 up until he died on Tuesday, the Huntley Fire Protection District said in a statement.
The Wauconda Fire District said that Schlick “will be truly missed.” Several other fire departments in the Lake and McHenry County area also offered their condolences on social media.
“Al’s contributions to the fire service were not only in McHenry County but throughout the state and nationally and he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the Huntley and Wauconda Fire Districts,” the McHenry Township Fire Protection District said.
There will be a visitation and fire department walkthrough held on January 12 at DeFiore Funeral Home in Huntley.
The visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. and conclude at 8 p.m. with the fire department walkthrough beginning at 6:00 p.m. and a lineup at 5:30 p.m.
The mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntley at 10 a.m. on January 13 and the interment will be private, officials said.