Funeral arrangements have now been finalized for fallen Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard. The funeral is set for 3-7 p.m. on Sunday at Mercadante Funeral Home, with a second funeral set for 11 a.m. Monday at St. John’s Church. Outside the firehouse on McKeon Road where Lt. Menard was stationed on Ladder 5 there were prayers, quiet reflection and a salute from members of the community who didn’t know him but have been touched by the loss. “This guy is amazing. He saved a rookie from dying in that building. I give him the utmost respect that’s why I saluted,” said former Auburn firefighter Jason Lombardi who stopped by a memorial that continues to grow.
It’s this kind of outpouring that’s unfortunately all too familiar in Worcester, but something the department says helps them get through the grief.