WORCESTER—A year-long effort to honor a fallen Worcester firefighter at his alma mater is moving forward after receiving key support from both the Doherty High School Naming Committee and the Worcester School Committee.
Requests to name a space at Doherty High School after Lt. Jason Maynard were first submitted in March 2024 and resurfaced earlier this year. The city opened a new Doherty High building in late 2024, including a renovated sports complex, which became the focus of the renewed naming effort.
The district’s Special Committee on Finance, Operations and Governance (FOG) sent the proposal to the Doherty High School Naming Committee, which oversees all naming rights recommendations. The Naming Committee approved the request on Oct. 30. Ellen Kelley, executive director of the Doherty quadrant, confirmed that approval during FOG’s Nov. 10 meeting.
Lt. Maynard, who died in the line of duty in 2019 while responding to a four-alarm fire, was honored again this year during a remembrance ceremony on Nov. 13 at the McKeon Road Fire Station.
Earlier in the year, his wife, Tina Maynard—whom he met while they were both students at the old Doherty High School—submitted a letter to FOG requesting that the new football field bear his name, noting his years playing the sport as a student. Minutes from the Oct. 30 naming committee meeting reflect letters and public comments supporting the idea.
Members of FOG voiced strong support when sending the recommendation to the full school committee. Member Dianna Biancheria, who was outspoken about the proposal earlier this year as well, praised the decision.
“I’m very delighted to see this has gone through,” Biancheria said. “Certainly, it is something that I think is well deserved. I look forward to when we have some type of a ceremony at our high school.”
FOG Chair Molly McCullough acknowledged the process took some time but said she was glad to see it carried out correctly.
“I know it did take us a bit to get there with our updated policy,” said McCullough, “and the initial item was to select something to be named after Lt. Menard. Certainly, we know that no matter what it would be that sacrifice is something that can never be replaced by a naming. I know a lot of input came in from family and community members about it being the field.”
The school committee approved the request on Nov. 20 as part of its broader acceptance of items from FOG’s November meeting. The district is coordinating a dedication ceremony with the Maynard family.
Jason Bleau, a seasoned reporter from Connecticut’s Quiet Corner, has more than 11 years of news media experience. He has worked as a news anchor for WINY 1350 AM, contributed to Stonebridge Press publications, and covered racing as a Press Box coordinator at Thompson Speedway. Outside journalism, he is a movie enthusiast, freelance film reviewer, banker, and solo musician. He can be reached at bleau.jason@yahoo.com
