The memorial processions for two fallen firefighters who died in a nine-alarm fire last week brought together firemen, police officers, and other civil servicemen from across the nation.
The wake for Boston firefighter Michael R. Kennedy, 33, was held Wednesday at the P.E. Murray Funeral Home in West Roxbury.
The streets were lined with thousands of first responders to pay respects to Kennedy and his fellow colleague Lt. Edward J. Walsh, Jr., who also died in the fire.
The funeral for 43-year-old Walsh was held earlier Wednesday in his hometown of Watertown.
Servicemen as far as Costa Rica came to support the Walsh family.
During the funeral, family and friends stood up to recall some of their fondest memories of Walsh.
“He was a born leader who did not regard himself as a hero,” said President Richard Paris of the Boston Firefighters Union.
“He was destined to do great things and he did,” his sister Kathy Malone shared with the congregation.
“Let us be inspired by his example,” Mayor Marty Walsh also added.
The service ended with the ringing of the bell, which is a traditional symbol for the death of a fireman.
Many of the servicemen who attended Walsh’s funeral procession also made their way to Kennedy’s wake service.
Firefighters fill the streets around this funeral home in W Roxbury awaiting the public wake for Mike Kennedy @NECN pic.twitter.com/gYEtNGDcpa
— Alysha Palumbo (@AlyshaNECN) April 2, 2014
The wake was scheduled for 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. but started at 4 p.m. due to the large number of people in attendance.
Kennedy’s funeral will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at the Church of the Holy Name in West Roxbury.
A report about Kennedy’s wake:
The pair’s unfortunate death occurred on March 26 when they became trapped in the basement of an old building located in the historic Back Bay neighborhood.
Kennedy was a former Marine Sergeant who enjoyed motorcycles. Walsh was a married father of three young children.
The Boston Firefighters Department is accepting donations for both families on their Credit Union website.
View a previous report about the Back Bay fire:
Image via YouTube
