BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Binghamton Fire Department held a candlelight vigil to honor Firefighter John “JR” Gaudet and mark the first anniversary of his line-of-duty death.
Gaudet died while battling a third-alarm fire on Main Street in Binghamton in February 2025.
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Binghamton City Council voted unanimously to rename a city park in honor of Gaudet, WBNG reported. Mayor Jared Kraham and Fire Chief Alan Gardiner introduced the measure to change the name of West End Park to “JR Gaudet Memorial Park.”
Council members said renaming the park was a fitting way to recognize Gaudet’s service and sacrifice.
Kraham said the park holds special meaning for the Gaudet family, noting Gaudet practiced lacrosse there as a child and later brought his three children to play.
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