Katie Logan shakes the hand of Matt Gordon, in white shirt, to thank him for the jackets the Brookfield Fallen Firefighters Foundation donated to the Brookfield High School softball team.
Brookfield Assistant Fire Chief Mark Christy died in 2006, but his impact is still being felt to this day.
Randy Richman called him a father figure, and Matt Gordon said he was a mentor. Both are now on the board of the Brookfield Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which was created shortly after Christy died to carry on the work that he did, mostly behind the scenes, supporting local individuals and organizations.
Since Christy loved softball – his two daughters played the game – the foundation thought it appropriate to donate jackets to the Brookfield girls softball team, with the foundation logo on the back, and the team logo on the front.
Richman, a former Brookfield firefighter who has since gone into nursing, said he learned while a firefighter that the logo you wear on your clothing is “bigger than you. It’s bigger than anyone of you individually.”
You represent not only yourself and the organization listed, but the community, he said. When people interact with you when you are wearing that jacket, make sure they walk away “saying good stuff,” Richman said.
Christy was known for his professional expertise, his friendly personality and his interests, which included softball.
“Coach Christy was a community favorite,” said Gordon, a captain for Vienna Fire Department and a former Brookfield firefighter. “I couldn’t go anywhere with him – you just wanted to run to the store and get a Pepsi, it was gonna take you 45 minutes because someone was gonna see you and you were gonna be in a conversation, probably about softball.”
Christy was generous with his time, his knowledge and his money, but only a few were aware of the extent of his financial generosity, which he did not publicize, Gordon said.
“When Mark first passed away, I think a lot of people finally realized how much this guy did in the community,” Gordon said. “Nobody knew until he was gone.”
Christy’s willingness to share himself with those close to him inspired them to want to carry on his work.
“I’m here because of Mark Christy,” Richman said. “Mark cared about you girls, and he didn’t even know you. Make him proud.”
