MOUNT GREENWOOD — A Chicago Fire Department lieutenant died Monday from injuries he suffered after colliding with a vehicle as he rode his bike home from the firehouse, officials said.
Lt. Danny Carbol of Mount Greenwood was a 31-year Fire Department veteran. He was coming home from work in Ashburn on Sept. 20 when the accident occurred in southwest suburban Evergreen Park.
"He was one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet," said Lt. Joe Hughes, who worked with Carbol at the firehouse at 8026 S. Kedzie Ave. "He was a unique kind of guy, and I am going to miss him every day of my life."
Hughes, also of Mount Greenwood, said he would sometimes join his Fire Department partner in biking to work. The pair — known among friends as Felix and Oscar — both suffered from having "huge heads" and thus rarely wore helmets, Hughes said.
Carbol stayed in good shape. Besides biking to work, he watched what he ate and drank, often sticking to a lone pint of Guinness while others around him indulged.
"I can't think of anyone who would ever say a bad word about Dan Carbol," Hughes said.
Carbol, 56, is survived by his wife of 33 years, Marta, and their children Kristian, Justin and Jordan. He spent the bulk of his career working at Engine 47 at 432 E. Marquette Road in Woodlawn.
"He was known as a good firefighter — our highest compliment as CFD," said another fellow Chicago fireman and friend Bob Kintner.
Carbol suffered serious brain damage when he stopped abruptly and hit the vehicle head first, Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford told ABC7.
"Danny comes from a firefighter family. His dad served many years, and his brother is also a firefighter," Langford said.
Carbol lived in the 19th Ward for more than three decades and was just one year away from retirement. His wife teaches at Brother Rice High School in Mount Greenwood.
Carbol also was active in politics. He ran unsuccessfully on March 15 for the office of 19th Ward Republican committeeman.
Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) said Tuesday he and Carbol may have disagreed politically but they often were able to put aside their differences to focus on issues.
"The last Election Day, I was at CrossWinds Church greeting voters, and he was at CrossWinds Church greeting voters," O'Shea said. "He was a good guy."
Visitation for Carbol will be 2-9 p.m. Monday at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home & Crematory at 15525 S. 73rd Ave. in southwest suburban Orland Park. A Fire Department walk-through service is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
The funeral is 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, followed by interment Oak Hill Cemetery in Mount Greenwood.
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