John Giannelli wanted his final shift with the Hinsdale Fire Department to feel like his first.
"I found my old pillow and blanket," said the 33-year veteran of the force, who retired as chief on Friday. "I cooked dinner and stayed the night. Went on my last call. I made (the crew) breakfast. It brought back memories of how I started."
It was a poignant conclusion to a career spent in the fire service.
"It's all I've done since I was 18 years old," remarked Giannelli, who started in LaGrange Park before coming to Hinsdale in 1991.
He rose through the ranks of lieutenant and captain, and in 2016 he was appointed to replace retiring chief Rick Ronovsky, who remains a good friend. Giannelli admitted stepping into the department's top role was a bit daunting, in part because he had not even done a tour as deputy chief.