Firefighter/Paramedic Jan A. "Jay" Sanders Jr.
Following a courageous battle with occupational cancer, Jay passed away on June 18, 2026, after dedicating more than 35 years of his life to serving the citizens and visitors of Charlotte County. He began his fire service career with the Harbor Heights Fire Department as a Firefighter/EMT before joining Charlotte County Fire & EMS through consolidation. Jay was so young when he started his career that he was not yet old enough to drive the apparatus he responded to calls on. Over the next three and a half decades, he promoted to Firefighter/Paramedic whose impact extended far beyond the calls he answered.
Throughout his career, Jay helped shape the future of Charlotte County Fire & EMS. He was an original member of the department's Hazardous Materials Team, a founding member of the Charlotte County Fire & EMS Honor Guard, and deployed to assist with wildland fire operations in the western United States. He precepted countless paramedics, helping guide the next generation of firefighters and EMS professionals. His service was recognized through numerous honors, including Firemedic of the Year and multiple Phoenix Awards. To those who knew him, however, Jay's greatest legacy was not found in awards or accomplishments, but in his larger-than-life personality, infectious laugh, loyalty, and the countless lives he touched through his friendship, mentorship, and compassion. His influence will continue to be felt throughout Charlotte County Fire & EMS and the community he faithfully served.
Career at a Glance
- Began fire service career with Harbor Heights Fire Department as a Firefighter/EMT
- Joined Charlotte County Fire & EMS through department consolidation
- Promoted to Firefighter/Paramedic
- Served more than 35 years protecting the citizens and visitors of Charlotte County
- Founding member of the Charlotte County Fire & EMS Honor Guard
- Original member of the department's Hazardous Materials Team
- Precepted paramedics throughout his career
- Deployed to assist with wildland fire operations in the western United States
- Recipient of Firemedic of the Year
- Recipient of multiple Phoenix Awards
Videos
News Releases
- Official Announcement
- Statement from County Administrator Hector Flores
- Funeral service announcement
- Engine 15 memorial display
- Procession Route
- Funeral Livestream
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 12 p.m. at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m.
Following the service, firefighters, emergency responders, and public safety personnel from across the region will participate in a procession honoring Jay's life and legacy. Members of the public wishing to pay their respects are encouraged to safely observe along the procession route. Route details will be announced in the coming days.
Members of the public wishing to pay their respects are encouraged to safely gather along the procession route and join the community in honoring a firefighter who dedicated more than 35 years to serving Charlotte County. The procession is expected to begin at approximately 3 p.m., though the exact start time may vary based on the conclusion of services and procession staging.
The procession route is as follows:
- Begin on Harborside Avenue (exiting the Event Center)
- Left on U.S. 41 North (Tamiami Trail)
- Right on County Road 769 (Kings Highway)
- Right on Harbor View Road
- Left on Rio De Janeiro Avenue
- Left on Rampart Boulevard
- Right on Kings Highway
- Left on Veterans Boulevard
- Right on U.S. 41 North (Tamiami Trail)
- Left on Chamberlain Boulevard
- Left on Eisenhower Drive
Motorists should expect temporary traffic delays along the route and are encouraged to plan accordingly.
The Sanders family requests that anyone wishing to make a memorial donation do so to Firefighter's Fighting Together in Jay's honor. Donations will support firefighters and their families impacted by occupational cancer and continue the mission that meant so much to Jay. More information about Firefighter's Fighting Together is available at www.firefighterstogether.org.
Agencies, organizations, associations, and elected officials wishing to provide proclamations, resolutions, letters of condolence, memorial recognitions, or other tributes in honor of Jay's service may contact Ashley Turner, Public Information Officer, at Ashley.Turner@CharlotteCountyFL.gov for coordination.
For those who are unable to attend Firefighter/Paramedic Jay Sanders' funeral service in person, a livestream will be available so our extended fire family, friends, and community can honor Jay from wherever they are.
The livestream will begin at approximately 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, ahead of the 12 p.m. service.
Watch the livestream at www.youtube.com/@CharlotteCountyPublicSafety.