Funeral services to be held this week for Concord Firefighter Christopher ‘CJ’ Girard

The hearse carrying Christopher Girard passes by a flag draped between two fire engines on its way to the Bennett Funeral Home on Monday, March 3, 2025. Girard died after a brief illness.

Concord Firefighter CJ Girard is shown on duty at a four-alarm fire on Rumford Street in August 2022. Girard, a father and resident of Bow, died unexpectedly this weekend. Jay Heath

Christopher "CJ" Girard had been with Concord Fire for seven years. Concord Fire Department

By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN

Monitor staff

Published: 03-10-2025 12:58 PM

Services to honor the life of Concord firefighter Christopher “CJ” Girard will be held this week, including a funeral on Thursday at Christ the King Parish on South Main Street.

Girard, who was 39, died suddenly on March 1 after a brief illness. Calling hours will be held Wednesday at Bennett Funeral Home with walk-throughs for fire and police personnel, family and friends. Services Thursday will begin at 10 a.m.

Girard’s obituary described him as determined, disciplined and loving, which echoed the comments shared by fellow firefighters last week.

“He was a loving son, a beloved husband, an exceptional father, a loyal friend, a caring and giving person,” the obituary states. “He was a humble man who unselfishly put those he loved ahead of himself. He was an outstanding fireman, who expected excellence of himself in his training and performance and held others to that same standard.”

Girard was born and grew up in Berlin and was an involved athlete and Boy Scout, the obituary states. It also points to a close relationship with his father Richard Girard, both his Scout Master and a Berlin fire lieutenant, who passed away in 2014.

Attending the fire academy after graduation from Plymouth State University, it was Girard’s dream to join Concord Fire and, specifically, the team on Tower 1 — a prestigious position within the department. After time as a firefighter with the Pease and Londonderry departments, Girard was hired in Concord in 2018. He became an operator on Tower 1, fulfilling his dream, in 2023.

“CJ was not a person to be idle,” his obituary states. “Whatever he had a passion for, he gave it his full attention. He had the drive to conquer any obstacle he faced.”

Girard was kind-hearted and fun-loving, someone who knew the art of a measured prank and had “a very quick mind for making a silly comment,” it said.

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