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Memorial Being Held In Kentucky For Grandparents Killed In Stamford Fire

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Memorials are continuing Saturday for a Connecticut couple who was killed in a fire at a home in Stamford on Christmas day along with their three grandchildren.

Lomer and Pauline Johnson are being honored at a memorial service in Louisville, Kentucky. Lomer worked there as a safety chief for a liquor company until he retired.

Just before the fire, Johnson played Santa at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Investigators say he died in the fire while trying to save one of his granddaughters. Nine-year-old Lily Badger and 7-year-old twins Sarah and Grace all died in the blaze.

Authorities have said the embers from the fireplace that were left in a bag in the mudroom of the home started the fire.

Earlier this week, hundreds attended the girls' funeral Mass, including fashion designer Calvin Klein and other luminaries of the fashion and advertising world.

PHOTOS: Funeral For Stamford Fire Victims

Inside the church, their mother Madonna Badger stood before more than 1,000 mourners and poured out a heartfelt eulogy for her girls.

"Gracie asked me a thousand times if she was going to die before me. I said 'No Grace, that's never going to happen.' But that did happen," she recounted.

A foundation has been established to honor the memories of the Badger girls. The mission of the Other 364 Foundation is to champion compassion, according to its website.

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