Jeffrey F Deschenes' Obituary
Jeffrey "Jeff" F. Deschenes, 54, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, passed away at a local hospital after experiencing a medical emergency at home on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Jeff was a devoted husband to Kathy Deschenes and a loving father to his daughter, Emily, and son, Ryan and loved his dog, Mystic. He was also a cherished brother to David Deschenes and Jennifer Galatro.
Born on February 5, 1971, in Methuen, Massachusetts, Jeff was the beloved son of Raymond and Nancy Deschenes. He was a proud graduate of Sacred Heart School, Central Catholic High School, and Salem State College.
A highly respected and decorated firefighter, Jeff began his career with the Lawrence Fire Department in 2000, where he served with distinction for 12 years. In 2012, he joined the North Andover Fire Department, where his leadership and expertise left a lasting legacy. In 2019, he was appointed as North Andover’s first EMS Coordinator, and in that role, he transformed the department’s emergency medical services.
Jeff spearheaded numerous community-focused initiatives, including a North Andover CPR training program, a fire department car seat installation service, and a community EMS outreach program. His efforts modernized the department’s EMS capabilities, introducing advanced equipment, protocols, and technology that elevated the standard of care across the region.
His dedication and heroism were widely recognized. Jeff was named a Firefighter of the Year by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2019 for his courageous response during the 2018 Merrimack Valley natural gas disaster. He also received the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award, the Outstanding Contribution to EMS Award, and the Gift of Caring Award.
Jeff’s legacy is one of service, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of others. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the countless lives he touched throughout his career.
Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 223 Lawrence St., Methuen, MA. A Funeral Service for Jeff will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, June 6 at Elmwood Cemetery, 130 North Lowell Street, Methuen.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Jeff’s memory to one of the following organizations:
North Andover Fire Department Relief Association
Checks may be made payable to “NAFD” with a note indicating “In Care Of NAFD Relief Association.”
American Heart Association
https://www.heart.org/
The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Deschenes family.
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