Obituary of Firefighter John R. "JR" Gaudet

It is with heavy hearts, we share the passing of John "JR" Gaudet of Binghamton, NY. A devoted husband and loving father of three young children, John dedicated his life to his family, his community, and his career as a firefighter. Born on May 19, 1984, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, NY, John was the beloved son of Charles and Mary Ellen Gaudet. He passed away in the line of duty on February 12, 2025, at the age of 40. John is survived by his wife, Felly Gaudet, and their three children: Charles (9), Vanessa (5), and Michael (3). He is also survived by his parents, Charles and Mary Ellen Gaudet; his sister, Katherine Gaudet; his brother-in-law, Simon Agustinus, and his wife, Erin Agustinus; and their son, Maddox Agustinus. Additionally, he leaves behind his childhood best friends, Dante DePersis (Binghamton Firefighter) and Michael Marion, along with many others whose lives he touched. John graduated from Binghamton High School in 2002 before attending Binghamton University, where he played Division I lacrosse during the 2003-2004 seasons. He later transferred to SUNY Cortland, where he played lacrosse in the 2007 and 2008 seasons. A left-handed attackman, he was known for his skill in faceoffs and relentless determination on the field. The Red Dragons finished as the Division III national runner-up in both of his seasons. John's work ethic and compassion extended far beyond the field. He was deeply committed to his community, coaching youth lacrosse teams for Binghamton, Seton, and Windsor school districts. He also dedicated himself to coaching his son Charlie's teams, including Binghamton youth football, basketball, and lacrosse. More than anything, John wanted to be a great husband, father, and firefighter. The Binghamton Fire Department stated it best: "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." John leaves behind a lasting legacy and touched the lives of everyone he met. No matter who you were or how well he knew you, he treated everyone like a best friend. His compassion shined through in everything he did. May we all strive to be a little more like John every day. The Gaudet family extends their deepest gratitude to the Binghamton Fire Department and the City of Binghamton for their kindness and support during this difficult time. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Highland Avenue, Binghamton, Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Tuesday February 18, 2025 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. To support John's wife and children, a GoFundMe page and a Syracuse Fire Department Credit Union account have been set up for donations. John Gaudet was a hero both at home and in the firehouse. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten. The Mass will be live streamed at www.sta-sp.org