Public wake planned following sudden deaths of Rutland firefighter’s wife, newborn twins

RUTLAND, Mass. — A wake will be held this weekend following the sudden deaths of a Rutland firefighter’s beloved wife and their newborn twins.

Firefighter Patrick Sullivan’s 30-year-old wife, Ciara, and their 11-day-old twins, James and Elizabeth, passed away “quietly and peacefully” after the pregnant mother suffered a “severe medical emergency,” officials announced over the weekend.

In a post on New Year’s Eve, the Rutland Regional Emergency Communication Center said a wake for Ciara, James, and Elizabeth is planned for Saturday, Jan. 4.

A public walk-through is slated for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Miles Funeral Home at 1158 Main Street in Holden. There will be a uniformed public safety walk-through at 1:00 p.m.

Those wishing to attend the public safety walk-through should meet at 12 p.m. at Wachusett Regional High School, where awaiting buses will transport participants to the funeral home at 12:45 p.m., according to the Rutland RECC.

“Thank you for your support during this difficult time,” the Rutland RECC said in the post.

Over the weekend, the Rutland RECC said in a post, “Words cannot express the total devastation and unimaginable loss this tragedy has brought. Please keep Pat in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time—he needs all the strength and support we can give him.”

Ciara suffered a medical emergency on Tuesday, December 17, just hours before she was to deliver her babies. She was rushed to Memorial Medical Center in Worcester and intubated.

Patrick and Ciara’s twin babies were delivered prematurely via emergency C-section and put on ventilators.

Patrick Sullivan spoke with Boston 25 on Thursday night from the hospital and said, “The prognosis is not good...I’m devastated and furious this is happening.”

In an update shared early Saturday on Facebook, Patrick wrote, “I can’t explain the total and utter devastation, anger, rage, and loss I feel that this unnecessary tragedy has brought me.”

Rutland first responders and residents gathered at a vigil in the town’s community park last week to pray for the Sullivan family.

Patrick’s colleagues were some of the first responders to Ciara’s 911 call.

“It broke my heart to hear my fellow firefighter crying and yelling while his wife was lying on the front steps,” one colleague explained.

Patrick currently serves as a town firefighter and worked as a 911 dispatch supervisor for more than 13 years. The Rutland Fire Department remembered Ciara as a “dedicated public servant” who previously worked as a 911 dispatcher and an emergency management specialist for FEMA.

“The Sullivan family would like to express their deepest, heartfelt appreciation for the outpouring of love and generosity during this difficult time,” the department added.

A fund set up to support the Sullivan family has raised nearly $145,000.

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