WORCESTER—The family of the late Lt. Jason “Jay” J. Menard and members of the Worcester School Committee’s Standing Committee on Finance, Operations and Governance (FOG) have presented support for a growing demand to memorialize the Worcester firefighter’s name at Doherty High School, his alma mater.
While the question remains as to which structure could or should be renamed, the idea of a sports field is becoming the popular recommendation.
On June 16, the members of FOG addressed a longstanding request to name something at the new Doherty High School after Lt. Menard, who lost his life in the line of duty in 2019. A nine-year veteran of the department, Menard died on Nov. 13 while battling a four-alarm fire on Stockholm Street. After leading his fellow firefighters to safety, he became trapped on the third floor of the burning three-decker, where he was overcome by the flames.
The initial request was made in March, although the concept of adding his name to a sports field was a more recent concept. Lt. Menard was previously honored through a special memorial dedicated at the McKeon Road Fire Station in 2024 commemorating the fifth anniversary of his sacrifice.
The committee read a statement for the record from Lt. Menard’s wife Tina who supported the growing movement to honor her late husband, especially at Doherty.
“It would be the honor of a lifetime,” Tina’s letter stated. “Doherty has and always will hold a special place in my heart. It is the place where we met, Jay played football all four years and they were some of the best days of his life. It is there that he learned strength, determination and hard work which he carried with him throughout the rest of his life.”
The members of FOG felt that whether it’s a field or another memorial, naming something at Doherty would serve as an important and worthy recognition of a hero in their community. Committee Member Dianna Biancharia said she hopes the lieutenant’s loved ones will be involved when the dedication finally happens.
“I fully support any time that we are looking to name something after someone who has such a history as this,” said Biancharia. “His wife Tina I hope can be present when we do this along with his family.”
FOG supported the proposal unanimously, although it must also pass a naming committee and be approved by the school committee at large. Coincidently, the committee also codified a more streamlined version of the district’s facilities naming and dedication policy earlier in the night. Approval of new naming requests involves input from several parties including building principals, students, and members of the community at large.
Jason Bleau, a seasoned reporter from Connecticut’s Quiet Corner, has over 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
