The families of two fallen Massachusetts first responders will enjoy a brighter holiday season and "so much comfort" after their homes were paid off by a charity.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid in full the mortgages on the homes of Massachusetts State Police Trooper Thomas Clardy and Newburyport Firefighter Brett Burkinshaw.
Clardy, 44, was killed on the Mass Pike in Charlton five years ago when an impaired driver crossed three lanes of traffic and careened into Clardy's cruiser on the side of the highway. The trooper from Hudson left behind six children and his wife, who said she's "truly grateful" for the support from the Tunnel To Towers Foundation.
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"Knowing our home will be paid off gives my family so much comfort and a sense of security," Reisa Clardy said.
"The holidays can be a difficult time for my children without their father," she said, later adding, "It eases the burden and allows us to be together as a family with less worry."
Clardy was an 11-year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police and served in the United States Marine Corps and Army.
Burkinshaw, 47, who served his community for nearly two decades, died in July after a 19-month battle with job-related brain cancer. He was survived by his wife and daughter.
His wife Cheryl said their home is where she and her daughter have "so many happy memories with Brett."
"Knowing that my daughter and I will have the security of our forever home being mortgage-free is impossible to put into words," she said.
Burkinshaw's firefighting career began at 16-years-old when he became a call firefighter for the West Newbury Fire Department. During and after his college years, he was employed at the Essex County Sheriff's Department.
He then became a call firefighter for the Newburyport Fire Department in 2003, before being hired as a full-time firefighter in 2010. He was also a reserve for the Newburyport Police Department, as well as the fire alarm superintendent in Newburyport.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a group that supports first responders, veterans, and their families across the U.S.
The organization has paid the mortgages of nearly 450 homes of fallen service members and first responders. So far this year, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has delivered 135 mortgage-free homes across the country.
"Trooper Clardy and Firefighter Burkinshaw each dedicated their lives to helping others," said Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. "With their decades of service, they made a difference in countless lives. It's my honor to make a difference for their families — by ensuring they can celebrate this Christmas and every Christmas in their home without the financial burden of a mortgage."
For more information on Tunnel to Towers' mission to support veterans, fallen first responders and Gold Star families, visit www.T2T.org.
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