FRAMINGHAM — To many, Jared Hancock was an award-winning music producer. But to those who knew him well, he was a devoted father, uncle, husband and sibling.
Hancock, 39, died Sunday after an accident at his home in Framingham, his sister Julie Stande said Tuesday.
“His children were his whole world,” she said. “He was the best father. He was the best man in the world.”
Hancock was the father of five young school-age children, four girls and a boy. In 2017, he and his wife moved to Framingham in order to have a large backyard for the children. The backyard had a pool, trampoline and a bunch of other things that made it a great place for kids.
“My son and my sister’s son used to say how much fun it was to visit Uncle Jared’s backyard,” Stande said.
Authorities said the incident happened at Hancock’s home in Hiram Road at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The death is under investigation, police spokeswoman Lieutenant Rachel Mickens said.
Growing up in Brockton, Hancock became interested in music from an early age. He was a member of his school band and marching band, and also served in the Army National Guard after high school.
His love for music continued into adulthood. In 2005, he founded Surefire Creative Studios in Lowell, which produced music, videos and commercials. In 2012, he was nominated for a Grammy.
“He was an extraordinarily talented musician,” said Stande. “He loved it.”
Musicians near and far express their sorrow
As news of Hancock’s death made its way to the public this week, musicians at home and abroad expressed their grief.
Kevin Holness, a reggae artist from Somerville known as Mighty Mystic, wrote on his Facebook page how he and Hancock had just released Holness’ album “Giant,” which Hancock had been working on.
“Before I got the news yesterday (Monday) I would call you to tell you how well the album is doing and how grateful I am to have you in my corner and then the phone rang,” Holness wrote. “Life is a journey. I’ll keep working and pushing like you’ve always told me, no days off. We’ve created some mystical musical magic from the mobile studio to the Surefire headquarters. I’ll miss you, brother.”
London-based singer Hayley Griffiths, head of the Hayley Griffiths Band, wrote on her Facebook page about a musical career and thanked Hancock for convincing her to try music.
“Jay was like a big brother to me, always at the end of the phone with a motivational, inspirational speech or just to listen to me and support me through difficult times,” Griffiths wrote. “It’s ironic that the first song we wrote together, ‘Separated by Glass’, will now be forever more gripping and I’m devastated that he never heard HGB’s new rock version of it. For those who like my ‘Silver Screen’- album, he wrote and produced every single song and a few have continued on HGB’s show, including my latest single “Haunted”.
Surefire Creative Studios announced Hancock’s death on Monday with a statement:
“It is with great sadness that we write this to inform you of the passing of our beloved Jared Hancock, Co-Founder and CEO of Surefire Creative Studios. In addition to his role at Surefire, Jared will be remembered as a wonderful father, son, brother , mentor and friend to many people.”
Support for wife and children
Stande has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for Hancock’s wife and children. Stande said Hancock was the family’s sole breadwinner. The fundraiser is asking for $75,000 to help pay the family’s mortgage, as well as school fees for the children. Late Wednesday morning, the fundraiser had raised more than $43,000.
“We just want to make sure the family is taken care of,” Stande says. “This was such a freak accident. It was so unexpected and everyone struggles with it. It’s tragic.”
To donate, visit https://gofund.me/4080ea10.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or [email protected]. For current public safety news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Music producer Jared Hancock dies unexpectedly in Framingham’s home
