Charles J Berkery

Irish immigrant joined the department in 1903 and went on to serve for thirty-nine years. He was injured when blown to safety during the December 1910 stockyard fire but recovered sufficiently  to serve as pallbearer for captain Patrick F. Collins of the 59th who died in the fire.  In 1912 Berkery's four-year-old daughter was badly burned  and he donated skin grafts.  He was promoted to battalion chief of the 11th in 1920, the 12th two years later, and the 17th in Pullman in 1925.  Married on 8 Oct 1902 in Chicago to Margarite O'Rourke, he fathered seven children, all but one surviving to adulthood.

BERKERY
Charles J. Berkery, retired battalion chief, C. F. D., beloved husband of Margaret O'Rourke Berkery, devoted father of John J., Anne, the late Thomas, Margaret Berkery Ray, Mary, and Catherine, brother of Elizabeth Butler, Daniel Berkery, Anne Adler, and Nora Ryan. Funeral Tuesday at 9:45 a.m. from late residence, 7017 Wabash avenue., to St. Columbanus' church. Interment Holy Sepulchre. Member of Retired Firemen's association, member of Father Ed Kelly camp, United Spanish War Veterans, and Last Man club, 7th Ill. Regiment. (Chicago Tribune, January 11, 1942)