Thousands of firefighters paid their final respects to fallen Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard at his funeral Monday morning. Menard died Wednesday while saving his crew from a burning home. He was just 39 years old. He leaves behind a wife and three children. Funeral services were at St. John’s Catholic Church on Temple Street in Worcester. A private burial took place at St. John’s Cemetery on Cambridge Street.
“After marrying Tina, becoming a father three times, his next best day was becoming a lieutenant,” said Fr. Walter Riley at the funeral. “The sacrifice of Lt. Jason Menard fully answers the question can anything good come from Worcester. Not only is the answer to this question, yes, but his life and his saving actions for fellow firefighters, it takes that yes to its highest form. Because in the words of the good teacher from Nazareth, there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” Riley said.