Thousands Mourn Fallen Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy

WORCESTER, MA- Saturday's funeral services for firefighter Christopher Roy brought emotions out of the thousands of firefighters and community members who gathered to honor Roy.

Hundreds of Worcester firefighters marched in a procession to St. John's Church; Roy's casket was brought to the church on Fire Engine 5, the same truck he was riding in when he responded to the deadly Lowell Street fire.

Firefighter Roy was just 36 and left behind a 9-year-old daughter. He had only served two years in the fire department but made a big impact in the time he was there. Roy's fellow firefighters took time during the service to share a few words about Roy, describing him as a brother and the department and firefighter community as a family. Firefighter Stephen MGurn said "Roy was the first guy to step up," and will be remembered as one of the great firefighters to walk the halls of the Webster fire station, a 'Jake' as the department calls them.

With the help of twenty-five towns and 80 firefighters who took over the Worcester department's calls on Saturday, all firefighters in the Worcester department were able to attend the funeral.

Sitting in the pews was Roy's 9-year-old daughter Ava and his parents as well as members of the fire department and politicians, including Gov. Charlie Baker and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

The department's chaplain, Rev. Walter Riley, described Roy as a family man. "He was a guy who was the rock of his family,''Riley said. As a true family man, Roy's daughter Ava was the center of his world. Firefighter David Scavone told Ava he could see just how much she meant to her dad. "He was so proud of you," Scavone said.

A fund has been started to benefit Ava through the the Worcester Fire Department Credit Union.

Roy died battling a 5-alarm fire at an apartment building on Lowell Street Dec. 9. Roy and another firefighter were trapped in the building and rescued. It wasn't until he was in the hospital that Roy was pronounced dead.

Roy's death came on the heels of two somber anniversaries for the department. Days before Roy's death was the 19 year anniversary of the Worcester Cold Storage Fire where six firefighters were killed. The day before Roy's death, another Worcester firefighter died in the line of duty in 2011.

Photo Credit: Professional Fire Fighters of MA