Millard Fuller, who founded Habitat for Humanity International with his wife Linda Fuller, has Died at Age 74

Millard Fuller, who founded Habitat for Humanity International with his wife, has died. He was 74. In a statement on the Website of the organization, it stated that Fuller died early Tuesday "after a brief illness."

Millard and Linda Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity in 1976 -- though they had been working on housing issues for years before then -- and helped shape it into an aid organization that has built more than 300,000 houses around the world. Fuller had suffered from chest congestion for three to four weeks, said Holly Chapman, spokesman for the Fuller Center.

Habitat for Humanity gained publicity in the 1980s when former President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, started volunteering for the organization, which they still do. The former president was on Habitat's board of directors from 1984 to 1987. The world has lost a great servant leader.

Millard Fuller, who founded Habitat for Humanity International with his wife Linda Fuller, has Died at Age 74

Millard Fuller, who founded Habitat for Humanity International with his wife, has died. He was 74. In a statement on the Website of the organization, it stated that Fuller died early Tuesday "after a brief illness."

Millard and Linda Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity in 1976 -- though they had been working on housing issues for years before then -- and helped shape it into an aid organization that has built more than 300,000 houses around the world. Fuller had suffered from chest congestion for three to four weeks, said Holly Chapman, spokesman for the Fuller Center.

Habitat for Humanity gained publicity in the 1980s when former President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, started volunteering for the organization, which they still do. The former president was on Habitat's board of directors from 1984 to 1987. The world has lost a great servant leader.

John Petrik Resists Rescue From his Burning Home to Save his Dog Regis

John Petrik, 68, gave his life to save his dog, Regis. He did not leave the home until he was sure his dog was safe. However, his decision ended tragically. He died shortly after being rescued from his home.

"He was a shy man -- very quiet, very private. But he was very attached to that dog. He loved that dog," said Dr. Cesar Agustin, the Oak Park veterinarian who provided medical care to Regis. Source: Chicago Sun Times

Well, I can fully understand his devotion to his pet. It reminds me of residents of New Orleans who refused to leave their homes without their pets, even as the flood waters rose to their roofs.

Petrik was home when the fire erupted about 1:20 a.m., but he wouldn't leave when Cicero firefighters arrived and at one point tried to hold a door closed to keep firefighters from rescuing him, said town spokesman Dan Proft. "He refused to leave the house. Our belief is he wanted to get the dog and take the dog out before he would leave," Proft said.

He was removed from the home, then placed in a Cicero police car, where he suffered some type of medical problem -- possibly a heart attack, Proft said. Petrik was pronounced dead at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn. An autopsy showed he died of smoke and soot inhalation, as well as cardiovascular disease, officials said.

I hope the dog will find a good home. But many will say that this man acted recklessly, but the dog was his life and I can't say I blame him for what he did. I love my dog and I love my children. I could not to walk away knowing they were in harm's way. Somehow I understand why he did it. What say you?

John Petrik Resists Rescue From his Burning Home to Save his Dog Regis

John Petrik, 68, gave his life to save his dog, Regis. He did not leave the home until he was sure his dog was safe. However, his decision ended tragically. He died shortly after being rescued from his home.

"He was a shy man -- very quiet, very private. But he was very attached to that dog. He loved that dog," said Dr. Cesar Agustin, the Oak Park veterinarian who provided medical care to Regis. Source: Chicago Sun Times

Well, I can fully understand his devotion to his pet. It reminds me of residents of New Orleans who refused to leave their homes without their pets, even as the flood waters rose to their roofs.

Petrik was home when the fire erupted about 1:20 a.m., but he wouldn't leave when Cicero firefighters arrived and at one point tried to hold a door closed to keep firefighters from rescuing him, said town spokesman Dan Proft. "He refused to leave the house. Our belief is he wanted to get the dog and take the dog out before he would leave," Proft said.

He was removed from the home, then placed in a Cicero police car, where he suffered some type of medical problem -- possibly a heart attack, Proft said. Petrik was pronounced dead at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn. An autopsy showed he died of smoke and soot inhalation, as well as cardiovascular disease, officials said.

I hope the dog will find a good home. But many will say that this man acted recklessly, but the dog was his life and I can't say I blame him for what he did. I love my dog and I love my children. I could not to walk away knowing they were in harm's way. Somehow I understand why he did it. What say you?