Fallen Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy is laid to rest

WORCESTER, Mass. — A community is mourning the loss of a local firefighter.

After being carried out of a burning home by his colleagues, firefighter Christopher Roy was rushed to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester. Later that day, he succumbed to his injuries and died in the line of duty.

He was hailed a hero, a loving father and a wonderful member of the Worcester Community.

And Saturday morning, that community said its final goodbyes as he was laid to rest at Notre Dame Cemetery after his funeral mass at St. John's Catholic Church.

Fallen Worcester firefighter Christopher Roy was moved from the funeral home to St. John’s Catholic Church on Friday afternoon.

Roy’s obituary describes the 36-year-old man who lost his life in the line of duty Sunday morning as a caring and compassionate friend who enjoyed hunting, fishing and cooking. He was considered a pillar of his family.

PREVIOUS: Firefighter passes away after battling five-alarm fire in Worcester

Roy leaves behind his 9-year-old daughter, Ava, who was described as the light of his life.

The greater Worcester community is mourning firefighter Roy’s death and many are doing what they can to help.

Harris Auto Body Shop posted photos showing them cleaning and detailing Ladder Four ahead of firefighter Roy’s wake and funeral. Ladder Four, posted at Webster Square Fire Station, was Roy’s ladder truck.

What’s called a firefighter walk-through began at 3 p.m. and the public calling hours were scheduled from 4-8 p.m. later on Friday.

Roy was a member of the Webster Square Fire Station Ladder 4 Group 3. He had been a part of the fire department for two-and-a-half years at the time of his passing. He leaves behind a 9-year-old daughter, his parents and a brother. He was a resident of Shrewsbury, Mass.

Funeral Plans

Funeral services for Roy were announced Monday afternoon. Calling hours were held at St. John's Catholic Church in Worcester on Friday, December 14 from 4-8 p.m.

With heavy hearts, firefighters from across New England lined up and walked through St. John's church doors, with family and friends following closely behind.

Fellow firefighters lifted Roy's casket into the church on Friday afternoon, his yellow firefighter helmet carefully carried in by a close friend and fireman.

"Between today and tomorrow we're going to have an appropriate send off for Chris to show the way the fire service comes together to take care of one of its brothers," said Worcester Fire Dept. Deputy Chief Martin Dyer.

It's been a tough week for the Worcester fire department, losing eight members in fires since 1999.

"Obviously we’ve been there before with the tragedies in 1999 and 2011, it doesn't get any easier this is a devastating loss and it’s taken its toll," said Worcester Fire Department Chief Michael Lavoie.

Worcester firefighters made the difficult walk into the church to salute Roy. Governor Charlie Baker was seen paying his respects, along with friends like Barbara McKeon who says her husband worked the same engine as Roy and brought her two daughters.

"It's extremely difficult, it's extremely different to see my husband going through what he's going through," said McKeon.

"Its hard because it could have been my dad, it's hard definitely to think about that," said Michaela McKeon, whose father is a firefighter.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. following a private family procession.

If you'd like to help out the Roy family, you can purchase a T-shirt here, where all net proceeds will go to the Roy family.

A memorial fund has also been established by Worcester Firefighter IAFF Local 1009 in the name of his daughter, Ava Roy.

Checks may be made payable to the Ava Roy Fund and mailed to: Worcester Fire Department Credit Union, 34 Glennie Street, Worcester, MA 01605.

Parking and traffic restrictions

Friday December 14 from 4-8 PM at St. John's Catholic Church:

• Temple Street closed from Harding Street to Green Street 2 PM - 8 PM
• Intermittent traffic flow on Francis J. McGrath Blvd. as traffic will be reduce to one lane East bound and one lane West bound
• No parking on Temple Street from noon until 8 PM

Saturday December 15 beginning at 10:00 AM at St. John's Catholic Church:
Beginning at 8:00 AM – Conclusion of service (Approximately 1 PM)

• Washington Square along with all roads leading into the Square (Summer Street, Front Street, Grafton Street, Shrewsbury Street)
• Lower Grafton Street inbound to the City from the 290 East Bound on Ramp (ramp will remain open)
• Franklin Street closed from Suffolk Street to Grafton Street
• Temple Street
• Green Street along with all roads leading into Green Street (Ashe Street, Temple Street, Plymouth Street, Harrison Street, Winter Street, Goddard Street, Gold Street, Madison Street)
• Harding Street will only be open from Winter Street to Kelley Square

The private funeral procession route to Notre Dame Cemetery was as follows:

• Temple Street
• Green Street
• Madison Street
• Southbridge Street
• Hammond Street
• May Street
• Park Ave
• Mill Street Extension
• Webster Street

The Worcester Police Department is advising drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians to take extra care to obey the rules of the road and to be considerate of others traveling on local streets in the areas surrounding the event. Please plan ahead and seeks alternate routes as the areas mentioned will be congested.

How to help

A memorial fund has been established by Worcester Firefighter IAFF Local 1009 in the name of his daughter, Ava Roy.

Checks may be made payable to the Ava Roy Fund and mailed to: Worcester Fire Department Credit Union, 34 Glennie Street, Worcester, MA 01605.

MORE: Fallen Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy remembered as devoted father

Cox Media Group