This scholarship fund was developed by the Maine Chapter IAAI after the death of Joseph C. Menezes. Joe was one of the founding Charter Members of the Maine Chapter. He was a fire investigator with the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office at the time of his death in 1994 and was only 58-years old.

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Joe was born in Sommerville, Massachusetts and attended schools there. He moved to Windham, Maine in 1968 with his young family. He was employed by the town of Windham as a fire inspector / investigator and was a member of the North Windham District #2 Fire Company from 1969 to 1983.

 

In 1983, he became an investigator for the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office. His coverage area included Cumberland and Oxford Counties. During his time with the State, he invested numerous fires, explosions and was active in trainings. Joe was survived by his wife, Laura, three sons, Mark, Paul and Robert and daughter, Lisa.

 

The officers of the Maine Chapter decided to honor Joe with a scholarship in his memory. Although the scholarship was originally intended for those students attending a Fire Science Degree program with a desire to become involved in fire investigations, the Board of Directors have since opened up the criteria to include other students, who are majoring in EMS or Law Enforcement programs. Members of the Maine Chapter and their families are welcome to apply for this scholarship. 

 

Applications are due by April 1st and scholarship recipients will be announced at our Annual General Meeting in June.  Checks will be distributed after the students successfully complete their first semester, provide a transcript to the BOD's and proof they are registered for their second semester. 

     

After the initial donations were sent to the Maine Chapter in memory of Joe, the fund continues to be supported by the sale of 50/50 raffle tickets during training seminars and from other fund raisers such as our annual golf tournament. We know Joe would be proud of the work the Maine Chapter has done since its inception. For those of us who knew and worked with Joe, we always enjoyed his smile when in his presence. Joe is missed dearly and will never be forgotten.