Lt. Jason J. Menard died in the line of duty on November 13, 2019, while searching for reported trapped residents during a three-alarm fire in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts. Lt. Menard was able to get his crew to safety, but he succumbed to his injuries, and we lost an amazing man. A loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend.
Jason loved the job and went to work each day with a smile on his face. Joining the Worcester Fire Department in October 2010 was a dream come true for him. Early in his fire service career, he spent time on Ladder 6, Engine 11, and finally on Engine 4, the city’s busiest engine, his dream truck with his dream crew. He was hardworking, driven, and eager to learn and was known to ask to do drills. He was constantly looking for ways to better himself. All that carried over with him when he was promoted to lieutenant in October 2018 and assigned to Ladder 5. A true leader, he gave his crew 100% and even then always had training and drilling on his mind. He was never more excited than when a green shield was headed to his truck. Jason was a great teacher and would take all the time you needed to make sure you understood what he was teaching you. The passion he had for the job and the role he worked hard to achieve was demonstrated by his actions on every shift. “No days off,” he’d say.
A true believer in family first, he could always be found in the front row, whether it was a dance recital, track meets, softball, or basketball games. He was a great firefighter but an even better dad and husband. Watching him be a dad was very special. He took the time to make each one of us feel just how loved we were. He loved spending time with the kids outside, biking, yard work, playing in the dirt. His favorite family trips were beach trips and camping trips. Jason knew how to make people laugh and had an incredible sense of humor. He was one of the most loyal and positive people you could ever meet. He cherished every moment he had with his family and friends
Jason was taken from us far too soon and way too young. He is deeply missed each moment of every day. We will always remember his unforgettable laughter and that famous smirk of his. His memory will live on with his family and friends who loved him more than he could ever know. Especially his wife Tina, and their kids, Joshua, Hailee, and Morgan.
“Grief I’ve learned is just love. It’s all the love you want to give but cannot. All of that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.” We miss you more and more each day. Still not sure how to do this life without you. I was never ready for you to leave. 23 years together seems like a long time but it wasn’t nearly enough…
– Tina MenardJason–The tragedy that struck you and your beautiful family is beyond heart wrenching May strength be with you and the children always Tina…Always in our thoughts,
– Lynne & Tom GibbonsTom and Lynne
Hero…that’s exactly what Jay was! If you looked up hero in the dictionary, Jay’s picture would be right there! He risked his life to save my husband and the rest of his crew and forever I am grateful! He was the most selfless man and my husband enjoyed every minute going to work with Jay! They created a bond and inside jokes that not even I knew about. Jay you are missed everyday!
– Mellissa PaceJason you are missed more than you know. I will forever hold all of our amazing memories we had together close to my heart. You are a true HERO! Love and miss you so much! Till we see each other again.
– Heather WhitneyLove Heather & Aubrey
Thank you for being a true hero!!! You have an amazing beautiful family. Watch over them and give them love and strength from heaven as you did when you were present. You are truly missed
– Chris GoodrichHe was a amazing mentor and a even better friend to the Menard family you are true the definition of strength and we are all here with you
– Ryan MageeTo my main man…I laughed harder with you. I felt more myself with you. I trusted you with me-the real me. When something went wrong, or right, or I heard a funny joke, or saw something bizarre, you were the first person I wanted to talk to about it. I miss having you around for those crazy times of laughter, fun and family time. We had the best times, can’t wait to see you again on the other side. Think about you every second of every day, our friendship was like no other. I Love you Jason!!
– Michael GiangrandeRIP beautiful angel
– Janet HenryThank you for your service and putting our lives in your hands❤
R.I.P. MY BROTHER,thank you for your service.And may we never forget your selfless act of a hero
– Don BauckmanTina, your families arms are wrapped around you and your family each and every day. We think of you often whether you know it or not. May God continue to bless you and your family as we hold Jason deep in our hearts forever❤
– Wanda JohnsonSuch a huge traumatic loss for Jay’s
– Sheryl Mossofamily and friends. He was loved by so many and taken way too soon. A true hero in every sense of the word
Rest in Peace Jay
Jay, you are missed and loved so very very much. There is not a day that goes that we don’t think of you. There will never be words to describe the hole you’ve left in our hearts
– Nicole SturgisWere do I start I have so many things to say to him… How mad I was when I found out what you have done to risk your life and family, but yet so proud of you at the same time. You are so heroic, brave strong loved and just simply amazing not only for what you did that day but what you have always done and would have continued doing… I love you soo much and just want you back!!!!
– Mandie bishopRest in peace my cousin till we meet again
Well written so sorry you had to go through all this but you have amazing friends ,who will stand by you and your children forever. Jay was a good and loving young man I remember him when you had Josh he was so nervous but together you make it through each ordeal. May peace be your helper and memories be your threshold
– Patricia BoucherMissing a great human being with so much to give.
Still can’t believe you’re gone, Jay. We cherish the times we shared with you and your family. We still check in with Tina from time to time – we don’t always know what to say, but hope that somehow she’ll know we are here for her and those precious children. We just saw Josh and Morgan at the campground recently. We are in awe of how grown up they are. Your memory lives on with them. They are just wonderful people. You taught us so much – how to be kind, how to camp, how to put up drywall. 🙂 Any time we needed you – there you were…even with such a busy life. You are missed. You are loved.
– Jay and TadJay. You always made sure everyone had a spot in your life. You made time for everyone, and never grew tired of encouraging the people you love. No one was luckier than those people. The joy you had for your work, for fatherhood, and for making people feel special was undeniable. I talk to you all the time and I hope you can hear me. We all love you, and I just pray in my heart of hearts, you knew just how loved you were. I hope you are in the most beautiful paradise, because you deserve to rest in the sweetest peace ♥️
– Danni DavisAs easy at it can be to say he lost his life doing what he loved it comes with traumatic loss and broken hearts…. I’ve know Jason’s wife since I was young and could just see the love between them and their unconditional love for their children and family… I know that he is always watching over his family and pushing you through each day even though it hurts so badly … May he Rest In Peace. Thank you for your service Mr. Menard you are a true hero that will be forever honored loved respected and missed!!!
– Barnjum FamilyAs every day goes by I still don’t believe it. there are some things that just don’t go away so easy. I grieve for my Niece and children allways in my ❤.
– Cheryl JohnsonJay,
You were one of a kind and the best of the best. You were kind, hilarious and an amazing family man. I will always remember your smile and the way you looked just standing in your yard with your family and friends with such pride on your face. I think of you often and you’re so missed and you were a hero long before that night. I’m blessed to have called you a friend.
AA
– Ashlee AbdelnourJay was genuinely and truly a nice person who touched so many lives with his generosity and friendship. He made a difference in the lives of everyone he met, he is missed everyday by all who loved him and he will live on in the hearts and memories of everyone who knew him Rest In Peace Jay
– Debbie HendricksonJay, you are missed and loved so very very much. There is not a day that goes by that you are not thought of. There will never be words good enough to express the giant hole you’ve left in all our lives we miss you and love you beyond words, you are our hero ❤️❤️❤️
– Nicole SturgisDear Jay,
I know you know we all love and miss you so I don’t even have to say that but I do want to say I am proud of you for your heroism but also mad about what it did to our family…. I know ever family losses people over time but you and Ben …. I’ll miss you guys forever and always!! you were always there for me and always made me feel welcome and happy to be family ❤️ rip Jay love you forever and always
– Sarah PikeJason,
– Heather WhitneyThere is nothing I can say to express how sad I am that you are gone. Just know you were loved and will never be forgotten. You will forever be in my heart. I will cherish every memory that I have had together. You are a true Hero! Till be met again and we will met again. We love and miss you so much!!! FLY HIGH OUR ANGEL!!
Love Heather and Aubrey
Jay, you are missed more than you will ever know. There are no words that could cover wishing there was one more conversation between us. Sending your family love and thinking of you in all we do.
– Kerri & James FrongilloA true hero through and through. I’ve been friends with Cheryl for years and saw your kids at toys r us many times. All always had a smile. Prayers and blessings to you all.
– Cheyane GoodrichJason Menard ~ You have taught us all what it truly means to save another life because love wins. I have thought about you and your family so many times since and as much as I am a DISNEY fan as well cried out, why God, I know you cried out I would do it again to save a life. Thank you for your sacrifice, your dedication, the courage and compassion you gave all and I pray for your family, father God, to comfort them bring them peace of which knows no understanding and mostly that we in this world can love as you loved. Thank you is not adequate or enough but, thank you!!!! God Bless You Jason!!!!!
– Brandy ShabanI just prayed In Loving Memory of You, oh … that Fire Hero Up in Heaven… my sobs still ringing throughout PA , I so love and miss you, Jason Menard! Be Near unto getting to you some day above Us all at the Supremest Gate Into Eternity with you … RIP (1980-2019)
– Jenny FrenkilTo a true hero, a year has gone by, but your act of Valor will live on in eternity. With that act and your sacrifice your children children children will remember you and your legacy will guide them in life. To read the words of your wife are devastating and life seems so unfair to her and your children. I know one day she will see you again and years will not matter because true love is eternal..till you do meet again..watch over them and all your brothers and sisters.
– Fellow FirefighterKeep Resting easy up there Hero. We remember.
RIP Hero. We love you.
– CW