9/11 foundation pays off fallen Worcester Fire…
9/11 foundation pays off fallen Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard's mortgage
WORCESTER, MA. – NOVEMBER 18: The casket of Worcester firefighter Lt. Jason Menard leaves Saint John's Church on top of Engine 4 after his funeral service on November 18, 2019 in Worcester, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
By Marie Szaniszlo | Boston Herald
PUBLISHED: December 20, 2019 at 3:24 p.m. | UPDATED: December 20, 2019 at 3:32 p.m.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, named for a fallen 9/11 firefighter, has paid off the mortgage on the home of Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard, who died heroically trying to save fellow jakes in a fire last month.
Menard, 39, rescued two fellow firefighters in a four-alarm blaze on Nov. 13 before he became trapped on the third floor of a home.
One of the firefighters he saved, Christopher Pace, was released from the hospital in late November and able to go home to his wife, who is expecting their second child.
Menard left behind his wife, Tina, and their three young children, Joshua, Hailee and Morgan.
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"Every day, brave men and women like Lt. Menard are putting their lives on the line, rushing into harm's way in order to keep the rest of us safe," said Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller. "It is clear that the people of Massachusetts and the people of America recognize and respect that. Because of their generous donations, we are able to provide some peace of mind to Lt. Menard's wife and children, just in time for the holidays. We cannot replace what they have lost, but they will never have to worry about their home again."
The foundation's mission is to honor the sacrifice of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life to save others on Sept. 11, 2001. To date, The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has spent more than $125 million to honor and support first responders and veterans and their families.
The amount of the Menard family's mortgage was not released.
Lt. Jason Menard
Worcester Fire Department
Marie Szaniszlo | Reporter
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