Dozens of firefighters, family, friends and fire responders filled the East Branch Fire Hall July 26 for the funeral service of assistant chief Jason McGlone, who was killed in the line of duty.
McGlone, 51, was electrocuted and died July 17 while responding to a crash in the Town of Hancock.
As flowers, McGlone’s uniform, pictures and an urn sat at the front of the hall, pastor Yancey Brown said the firefighter’s funeral service “may be the hardest thing, the hardest service I’ve ever done.”
Brown called McGlone someone who would “jump in with both feet.” Stories shared by family and friends throughout the service reflected that adventurous spirit.
East Branch Fire Hall was filled with family, friends, firefighters and first responders July 26 to honor the life of Jason McGlone, who died in the line of duty on July 17, 2025.
Meghan Bouren, cousin of McGlone’s wife CaroleAnn, said McGlone was a father, a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle “like no other.”
He was an “amazing man,” she said, and “a fireman who gave everything to this community and this town.”
More: Firefighter Jason McGlone, killed in the line of duty, was outdoorsman, cook, ‘big family man’
Dan St Jacques said McGlone took him under his wing when they started working together. “I realized that under that rough exterior, he was my guardian angel. He was the one that was keeping me from getting hurt.”
East Branch Fire Hall was filled with family, friends, firefighters and first responders July 26 to honor the life of Jason McGlone, who died in the line of duty on July 17, 2025.
Those who spoke during the service described McGlone as someone who did not like being in the spotlight, but would do anything for anyone.
East Branch Fire Chief Rod Keesler used to tease McGlone for being for “a city boy trying to go country.” Over the years, he said, their bond grew into a brotherhood.
“Jay was our family, and you’ll continue to be part of the family,” Keesler said, addressing McGlone’s family. “We love you, Jay. Rest in peace brother, we’ll take it from here.”
East Branch Fire Hall was filled with family, friends, firefighters and first responders July 26 to honor the life of Jason McGlone, who died in the line of duty on July 17, 2025.
At the close of the service, firefighters stood at attention as Hancock Chaplain Brad Esolen performed the “Striking of the Four Fives,” a series of bells used to signal a firefighter has died in the line of duty. Delaware County 911 played the last call for McGlone over the speakers.
McGlone died during a response to the scene of a crash, where a pickup truck had gone off the road at state Highway 30 and struck a guardrail and utility pole in the Town of Hancock. When the East Branch Fire Department arrived on scene around 9:30 p.m., New York State Police said, a low-hanging electrical wire was touching the top of the fire truck’s roof.
When McGlone exited the truck and touched the metal door and the ground, he was electrocuted and died at the scene.
“Jason was just one of those guys,” Brown said, “that every hamlet community fire department needs.”
Kalyn Grant reports on public service issues for the Press & Sun-Bulletin, focusing on schools and community impact. Have a story to share? Follow her on Instagram @KalynCarmen and on Facebook under Kalyn Kearney. Get in touch at kcgrant@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: NY firefighter funeral: Asst. chief Jason McGlone ‘gave everything’