North Cook News

At the Feb. 6 Village of Skokie board meeting, the board honored the memory of recently passed veteran firefighter Andrew Cutting. 

Mayor George Van Dunen read a proclamation that honored his memory and thanked Cutting for his care and kindness for every person he came across every day. 

He presented a plaque to his widow Karla who thanked the firefighters in attendance for their support and continued love. She recalled her late husband’s passion for food, music, family, and firefighting.

“When we decided to marry and we decided to lay our roots down here in the U.S. instead of Australia, I knew he had a long road ahead of him,” Karla Cutting said. “While he was credentialed as a firefighter in Australia, none of those credentials transferred over here to the states. He had to start over from scratch, and that’s what he did. He went to Malcom X college, got his paramedic certification, started out on a private ambulance service until the village of Skokie came calling, he took the test and did real well. And I just could not have been more proud that he followed what he wanted to do and became a firefighter with the village.”

Cutting was born on July 4, 1968 in Australia. He was trained and worked as an electrician which led to him to pursue a career in the fire service and paramedic field as his grandfather had. He was also honorably discharged at the rank of corporal in the Australian Army before traveling the world. He settled in the Chicago area in 1997 with his wife. He joined the Skokie Fire Department in 2001 and served in the force for 21 years before passing away in his home in late January at the age of 54.

In other business, the board voted on several appointments and resignations.

Board Trustee Ralph Klein was absent from the meeting.

.The board will meet again at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Skokie Council Chambers at 5127 Oakton St.