Family of firefighter Davies speaks out on his death

WORCESTER, Mass. -- The family of a veteran Worcester firefighter who died battling a fire spoke out for the first time on Tuesday.

Firefighter Jon Davies was killed while battling a massive fire that tore through a Worcester home last week.

Jon Davies’ family praised him as a courageous firefighter and a loving family man. The family said they fully support the Worcester Fire Department’s decisions in handling the fire that claimed Jon Davies’ life.

“We have no doubt in our minds they made the best decisions possible with the information they had available to them on that fateful morning,” said Robert Davies, Jon Davies’ brother.

Jon Davies, who was 43, was killed when a burning triple decker came crashing down on him. He had rushed in to search for a person thought to be trapped inside.

“He was just wonderful. He would do anything for anyone. He’d cut his right arm off for you, that’s the kind of person he was. He was always the first to get into the building if there was a fire -- ‘Hey don’t stop me Chief, I’m going,’” said Ruth Davies, Jon Davies’ mother. “That’s what he did.”

Jon Davies’ eldest son, Jon Davies Jr., returned from serving in Afghanistan to mourn his father’s death.

“A good man…There’s not enough words to describe who he was,” said Jon Davies Jr.

Jon Davies was one of the first firefighters on the scene of the 1999 fire that claimed the lives of six Worcester firefighters. Jon Davies bravery was no surprise for those who know him best.

“Obviously without hesitation he went into that building. So the courage that he displayed without hesitation, thinking there may potential be somebody in that building, speaks for itself and I -- there’s no words that I can convey that provide a better answer other than what he had done,” said Robert Davies.

Thousands of firefighters are expected to attend Jon Davies’ funeral that is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Dec. 15 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (24 Mulberry Street, Worcester). His family members say they feel honored to have them in attendance.

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