Worcester Mourns Loss Of Fire Lt. John Kennedy

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester's Fire Department is mourning the loss of Fire Lt. John Kennedy, who passed on Saturday. Kennedy was 46-year-old. Union officials said Kennedy's passing was a line-of-duty death. This would be the department's second line-of-duty death in less than a year.

Union official Michael Papagni told Masslive that Kennedy died from injuries obtained in the line of duty, but could not offer exact details. Kennedy passed away suddenly on Saturday in Norwood Hospital, according to his obituary. The Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts also referred to Kennedy's passing as a line-of-duty death in a statement acknowledging two other line-of-duty deaths, one in Boston and one in Easthampton.

Kennedy was a member of the Worcester Fire Department for 21 years, a member of the Worcester Fire Department Dive Team, and a member of the District 3 HazMat Team. Kennedy leaves behind a son, Sean, and his girlfriend, Heather.

Prior to his time with the Worcester Fire Department, Kennedy served in the United States Navy where he was awarded numerous medals including the Southwest Asia Service Medal with a Bronze Star, according to his obituary.

“He had a true passion for the fire department and enjoyed every aspect of his career,” the obituary reads. “His fellow firefighters always looked forward to the nights when Lt. Kennedy would make his tortellini soup.”

A wake for Kennedy is planned for Wednesday at Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. His funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Immaculate Conception Church in Worcester.

Kennedy's death will be the second line-of-duty death in the department this year, the first was Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy in the Dec. 9 Lowell St blaze.