Ken Little, a beloved historian of the Chicago Fire Department and a retired senior fire alarm operator, passed away this week at the age of 84. Known for his deep knowledge of Chicago's fire history, Ken co-authored four volumes on the city’s firehouses alongside Father John McNalis. He also led bus tours that brought the department’s rich past to life for residents and visitors alike.
Ken was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He is survived by his children: Kenneth, Robert (Kimberlee), Stephen (Rhonda), Philip (Lee), Richard, Raymond, Mary Ellen (Steve) Cooper, Anna (Ron) Stargardt, and Rita (Rich) Carlson, as well as his late son Thomas. He leaves behind many grandchildren, including Timothy, Christine, Kevin, and Jenna, and numerous nieces and nephews. His legacy will be remembered not only through his work with the Fire Department but also through his long career teaching Chicago History at Wright Junior College.
A visitation will be held at Cumberland Chapels, located at 8300 W Lawrence Ave in Norridge, from 3 pm to 9 pm on Monday, December 11. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Michael Church, 1633 N Cleveland Ave in Chicago, beginning at 10:30 am on Tuesday, with a gathering at 10:15 am. The interment will be private at All Saints Cemetery on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago, located at 517 Senon Dr., Lemont, IL 60439-4093. For more information, call (708) 456-8300 or visit www.cumberlandchapels.com.
From reports on chicagolocal.cbs.com, it was noted that Ken had an extraordinary memory and an insatiable passion for the history of the Chicago Fire Department. Father John McNalis, the department’s chaplain, often shared stories about their long collaboration, which spanned 16 years and resulted in the publication of four volumes on Chicago firehouses. “He never forgot anything,†McNalis said. “He could rattle off names, times, and details with incredible accuracy.â€
Ken grew up in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood and remained deeply connected to the city throughout his life. His funeral mass will be held at St. Michael’s Church, where friends and family gathered to honor his life and contributions.
From chicagofd.org, a short video clip shows Ken at work in the old Main Fire Alarm Office, offering a glimpse into the daily operations he once managed with precision and dedication. This rare footage highlights his lifelong commitment to the department he loved so much.
Ken Little’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will live on through the histories he helped preserve, the people he inspired, and the countless stories he shared with those who cared about Chicago’s fire service.
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