Arrangements for Firefighter JR Gaudet calling hours and funeral.
St. Thomas Aquinas Church (1 Aquinas St, Binghamton, NY 13905) Both wake and funeral.
Calling hours: Tues Feb 18th from 1-5pm
Funeral mass: Wed Feb 19th at 11:30am
Hotel Information: Holiday Inn 607-722-1212 Code FIR for room rate of $109
Out of town bus parking will be located on Seminary Ave between Laurel Ave and Beethoven Street. Approach from Laurel.
Staging / formation will begin on Beethoven Street at the parking lot for Recreation Park. Plan to be at Recreation park close to 10am. There will be a small procession into the church on the morning of the funeral. At approximately 11am, the family will approach the church on Beethoven Street from Riverside Drive. We will begin formation from the church, down Aquinas Street, to Mozart, to Schiller, to Highland, to Beethoven. At the intersection of Highland and Schiller the family will be greeted by Bagpipers, Color Guard and other.
Procession after the mass will be family, friends and BFD members and BFD apparatus only. If anyone wants to stage along the procession route here is the planned route. Leaving the church it will be as follows: L on Highland, R on Beethoven, L on Riverside, straight on N. Shore Dr, Take the Court St exit, L on Court, R on Chapman, L on Henry, R on Chenango, L on Bevier, L on Front, R on Prospect, R on Airport, L on Harry L, R on Richard, L on Fairview.
Warming stations will be located in the St Thomas School directly behind the church, across the street and West Middle School where the mass will be lived streamed. Additionally, at recreation park the center building will be open for warming and rest rooms. Buses will be staged along the procession route for warming as well. Food trucks, with coffee and hot chocolate will be available as long as portable bathrooms. Abels pub on Rotary Ave will also be open at 10am and will be live streaming the mass.
Parking around the church will be difficult, side streets west and south are your best chances for street parking. Alternate street parking will not be enforced on the day of the funeral. There is a parking lot near the church at West Junior Ave and Helen. Remote parking lots at the Armory - 85 West End Avenue, 279 Main Street and the Rumble Ponies Stadium Parking lot 211 Henry Street and next door at Scooby Doo's, will have shuttle service starting at 9am on the day of the funeral.
On the day of the wake Celebrations on Park Ave will be open and 2PM for a gathering place for out of town guests. After the wake family, friends and local fire departments will be gathering at the Relief Pitcher.
A Coalition will be held after at the Double Tree Hotel 225 Water Street stating at 1PM on day of the funeral. All are welcome.
Other important information will be update on this post as they become finalized. Local 729 appreciates the tremendous outpouring of support.
Please check this post in the upcoming days for updated information.
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It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Binghamton Fire Department announces the passing of Firefighter John “JR” Gaudet in the line of duty.
JR embodied what it means to be a firefighter—fearless, dedicated, and always putting others before himself. His infectious smile, unwavering positivity, and relentless work ethic made him a brother to all who had the honor of serving alongside him. He was the kind of firefighter you could always count on, the one who would have your back no matter the situation. At fires, he was a bull—always first in line to get inside. He would literally run through a wall for you. There was no one better to have by your side.
Beyond the firehouse, JR was deeply involved in our community. He was a dedicated coach to many youth sports teams in Binghamton, always eager to share his passion and lacrosse wisdom with young athletes. His impact reached far beyond his firefighting duties, touching the lives of so many in our city.
JR’s loss is immeasurable. He leaves behind his loving wife and three young children. Please keep his family, friends, and fellow firefighters in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.
Arrangements are pending. In the meantime, if you would like to make a donation to his family please consider these options.
1 - For those want to avoid paying any fees. Syracuse Local 280 helped us set this up as not many banks want to get involved in funds like this.
Checks can be made payable and mailed to:
Make payable to:
Syracuse Fire Department Credit Union
Note in memo section it’s for Firefighter Gaudet.
Mail checks to:
Syracuse Fire Department Credit Union
211 Wilkinson street
Syracuse, NY 13204
or you can use this link to the credit union and transfer electronically
https://donorbox.org/fallen-firefighter-john-jr-gaudet
2- A Go fund me page has been set up by friends of the family. You can use the link below for this.
The 3 other firefighters hurt have been treated and released.
