WASHINGTON TWP. — UPDATE @ 1:40 p.m.:
Community members lined the streets in parts of Washington Twp., Centerville, and Kettering to pay their respects for a firefighter who died last week from COVID-19 complications.
Following a private funeral service for Washington Twp. Fire Lt. Jeff Guernsey Friday morning, a public procession traveled through parts of the three communities. Several people, like Angie Powell from Washington Twp., lined a part of the procession route as emergency vehicles passed by.
“It’s very heartbreaking and sad, but also, this is our community and people come out, and I think that says a lot about our area,” Powell told News Center 7′s Katy Andersen.
“This is been a tough year for everyone and I think we can all can feel that could be one of our loved ones too,” Powell said.
Jenna Hall, one of Guerney’s family members, said the showing of community support was touching.
“This community is so great. I think (Jeff) would be really touched and it’s so nice for the family to to see all that support and know the community is behind them,” Hall said.
“It was very hard, it happened so fast and not really expected, but everybody has been so strong and his wife was there with him through the whole thing. They’ve been through a really hard time,” Hall said.
FIRST REPORT:
Funeral services and procession will be held today for Lt. Jeff Guernsey, longtime Washington Twp. firefighter, who passed away from complications of COVID-19 last week.
>> RELATED: Washington Twp. mourns death of firefighter who died from COVID-19 complications
Following a private funeral service at Fairhaven Church on East Whipp Road, the public has been invited to attend the formal processional through parts of Washington Twp.
The procession is scheduled to begin around 11:15 a.m.
The processional will be escorted by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies and will include Guernsey’s station Engine 42.
Social distancing and masks are required at all times along the route.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations can be support of Lt. Guernsey’s favorite support teams: Fairmont High School Wrestling and Team AKA.
Cox Media Group
