North Royalton family offers free signs for firefighter’s family
Tony Tomecko Sr. and his family at Art Pro Graphics are printing remembrance signs at no cost to support the family of firefighter Ryan Milligan.
By Luka Evans ·
Residents in North Royalton, Ohio, received free printed signs this week to show support for the family of a recently deceased firefighter. The signs, produced by a local graphic design business, are available to anyone who requests one. The initiative follows the death of Ryan Milligan, a 36-year-old member of the North Royalton Fire Department.
Milligan died in a fire that started around 9 p.m. Monday on Royalton Road. The incident also injured fellow firefighter Andrew Protsman. During a procession held Tuesday morning, flags in the community were lowered to half-staff. Neighbors expressed shock over the loss, noting that the fire occurred near their homes. Ken Kruse, a resident, described the event as unimaginable and sad, noting that Milligan likely left behind a family.
Tony Tomecko Jr., a firefighter and friend of Protsman, said his friend is recovering. He stated that the loss of Milligan is heartbreaking for the injured firefighter and his family. Tony Sr., who owns Art Pro Graphics, decided to use his company’s services to help. He and his family began printing signs to display solidarity with the Milligan family and the fire service.
Tony Sr. explained that the company frequently creates signs to support fallen police officers and firefighters. The decision to offer the signs for free stems from a personal connection. Tony Sr. and his wife, Michelle, have lost a child in the past. They also have a son who works as a firefighter and paramedic. This background gives them insight into the tight-knit nature of the emergency services community.
“We know the feeling of loss, and we have a lot of friends in both the fire and police, and whatever we can do as a family, especially Michelle and Tony and myself, whatever they need,” Tony Sr. said. Michelle added that as a mother of a first responder, she could not fathom the grief the Milligan family is experiencing. She wanted the community to know that many people care about the family and that Milligan will not be forgotten.
The signs are free of charge to those who want them. People can contact Art Pro Graphics at (440) 532-9083 to request a sign. A GoFundMe page is also active to benefit North Royalton Fire Department Local 2156.
