Francis Jesse Owens

Francis "Jesse" Owens, 98, retired Lieutenant of the Worcester Fire Department passed away peacefully Saturday, July 11th 2009. Jesse's wife of 57 years Marion F. (McPartland) Owens passed away in 1993. He is survived by his devoted son and daughter in law, Richard F. and Elizabeth Owens of Leicester; three grandchildren; three great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and friends. Three sisters, Margaret Spongberg, Katherine Williams and Therese Owens predeceased him. Jesse was born July 10th 1911, the son of Michael J. and Anne (Laughlin) Owens and has lived here all his life. Jesse worked for the City of Worcester more than 35 years, as a firefighter before retiring as a Lieutenant. He began his fire career on Engine 13, then being assigned as lieutenant of Engine 6 at Brown Square until retiring. He was the senior retired member of the fire department before passing. Jesse was a member of the former St. Margaret Mary Church. A member of the Local 1009 International Brotherhood of firefighters, the Worcester Fire relief association, the Greendale retired men's club, the Pierce Arrow Automobile Organization, and Classic Car Association, the Horseless carriage association, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In February of 2008, Jesse was named Citizen of the year by the Knights of Columbus Bishop O'Reilly Assembly for his over 30 years of service to the Fire Department. Jesse was a great lover of the Worcester Fire Departments Pipes and Drums and never missed a St. Andrew Day Performance. Jesse once mentioned the reason he received his nickname "Jesse". He acquired the name by leaping over a baby carriage responding to a fire. Jesse's funeral will be held Wednesday, July 15th from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL; 370 Plantation St with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Anne Church, 130 Boston Turnpike Rd. Shrewsbury. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery. Friends and relatives are invited to Calling hours Tuesday, July 14th from 4 pm to 7 pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Worcester Pipes & Drums, care of Worcester Fire Depart. 141 Grove Street Worcester Ma 01605.