We Are Lions
Flagg St School’s Lion Mascot
is dedicated to the memory of
Flagg St Alumnus
Fallen Firefighter
James F. “Jay” Lyons, III
1965-1999
As students of Flagg St School, we strive to uphold Jay’s memory through acts of courage and character. We answer the call to serve our community with honor and integrity. We build each other up through kindness. Like Jay, we reach high and live by our dreams.
The mascot for our school was adopted as a Lion by the Flagg Street PTG in 2017 to memorialize Flagg Street School alum and fallen firefighter Lt. Jay Lyons.
While attending Flagg St School in the 1970s, Jay Lyons’ childhood dream was to become a firefighter. That dream came true as he graduated first in his class at the academy. He considered serving in Boston or New York, but decided to stay here in Worcester, to fight for his own community.
In December of 1999, when he was just 34 years old, Jay went in to his last blaze, supporting his fellow firefighters, searching to save lives. Jay and five of his fellow firefighters lost their lives in the giant Worcester Cold Storage fire.
At the Flagg St School 5K, Saturday, May 19, 2018, Jay’s sister Kathy Lyons was in attendance. Before the race we honored her brother’s memory by unveiling a Lion, “Jay the Hero,” as our school mascot. Lieutenant Jay Lyons exemplified the kindness, teamwork, and courage we here at Flagg Street School work toward every day.
