Vigil, Funeral Arrangements Planned For Victims Of Hazlet Fire

HAZLET, NJ — The community will gather in a vigil Tuesday at 6 p.m. in remembrance of Jacqueline and Madelyn Montanaro, a mother and her 6-year-old daughter who died as a result of a fire at their Hazlet home on Friday.

The vigil grew from the community as a way to support the family. It will take place at Veterans Park.

And the family announced that funeral arrangements have now been made for mother and child, according to William Montanaro's brother Domenico.

"My brother is so heartened by the vigil," Domenico said. He said he may try to attend but is not yet sure he can.

But in another blow to the family, it discovered that its dog Duchess, whom it was hoped had run from the scene, was actually in the house and died in the fire, Domenico Montanaro said.

The Hazlet Police Department explained details of the vigil in a Facebook post that may be one of the most tragic the department has had to write:

"At this moment of sadness in our community, please join Mayor Michael Sachs, the Hazlet Township Committee and Police Chaplain Barry Mulligan in lighting a candle to remember our neighbors Jacqueline and Madelyn Montanaro and show support to their family, friends and colleagues as they process this tragic loss," the police department posted.

The police said the vigil will be held near the gazebo at Hazlet's Veterans Park, 1776 Union Avenue. Candles will be provided. Light refreshments will be offered immediately following the vigil at the adjacent James J. Cullen Center by the RAINE Foundation. Hazlet's RAINE foundation is also collecting gift cards for the family.

Police say visitors should use the Green Acres Drive entrance, as the Union Avenue entrance to the park will be closed. Ample parking is available in the Swim Club lot, police said.

Meanwhile, the family announced funeral arrangements:

Viewing will take place Wednesday and Thursday, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Holmdel Funeral Home. The address is 26 S Holmdel Road, Holmdel 07733. The phone number there is 732-946-3322.

The funeral is Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Benedict’s Church, Holmdel. The address is 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel 07733. The phone number is 732-264-4712.

Domenico Montanaro informed the community of the death of Duchess in the fire, and expressed thanks to the community for the entire family:

"We want to express our profound thanks to the Hazlet community and surrounding towns for their tireless efforts to search for Duchess and their ongoing support for our family.

"We feel all of your love and are so appreciative of how everyone has come together in this unspeakably trying time. Thank you."

The fire in the early morning hours of Jan. 13 took over the first floor of the home almost immediately, Domenico Montanaro said Sunday, in describing the speed with which the house at 10 Brookside Ave. was engulfed in flames.

William Montanaro went back in to get his daughter Madelyn, still trapped in the house. His daughter Elena, 8, got out of the house.

But, as William explained in a note to the community, "When I rushed back into the house for Madelyn, I became enveloped in a massive amount of thick, hot, black smoke. Without hesitation, Jackie then charged in with a mother’s love and the courage of a police officer fueling her attempt to save our daughter."

Mrs. Montanaro was a supervisor with Customs and Border Protection at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The cause of the fire, while not considered suspicious, is under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

William and Elena are living with the Montanaro grandparents in Holmdel, the family said.

"I am heartbroken. I have lost the love of my life – my beautiful wife, Jackie – and my sweet, loving, spunky little girl, Madelyn," William Montanaro wrote to the community.

And he said he will seek privacy to help Elena cope with the loss.

Fundraising for the family is already underway and there are many ways to help.

Fundraising is taking place from several sources, according to Hazlet police:

"As the Hazlet community tries to wrap our heads around such a tragic event, please keep the Montanaro family in your thoughts and help support them if you can. We have vetted three different organizers that are taking collections for this family, police said:

• The RAINE Foundation is collecting gift cards that can be dropped off at the Hazlet police department and will go directly to the family.
• A GoFundMe site will give proceeds to the family.
• The Monmouth County Council of the Boy Scouts where Mr. Montanaro is employed is also collecting funds for its Alumni Disaster Fund that will help the family with their immediate needs.

Domenico Montanaro again thanked the community, and said his brother would normally be the one helping others.

"My brother has a big heart and he would do anything for you," he said.