Crime & Safety
Firefighter Mike Kennedy: 'One of the Strongest Men I'll Ever Know'
Kennedy, 33, died last week fighting a nine-alarm blaze in Boston.
Thousands of mourners descended on West Roxbury Thursday for the funeral of Michael Kennedy, one of the Boston firefighters killed in a nine-alarm blaze last week.
Firefighters lined the streets near the Church of the Holy Name as Kennedy's body was carried on the back of a Ladder Company 15 truck to the church for the funeral. Kennedy was a member of the ladder company.
First responders carried his casket into the church.
"One of the strongest men I’ll ever know," James Crosby, Kennedy’s friend, told WHDH/7News.
Kennedy, 33, was killed alongside Lt. Ed Walsh, whose funeral was held Wednesday. They died fighting a blaze on Beacon Street that investigators say likely started in a heating system. Nearly 20 more first responders were injured.
Kennedy was an Iraq War veteran, serving as a Marine. He was one of the first responders in last year's Boston Marathon bombings.
A West Roxbury native, Kennedy lived in Hyde Park and was a six-veteran of the Boston Fire Department. He was involved in several community service initiatives, including being a Big Brother to Milton teenager Alex Beauzile.
Beauzile was in attendance for Thursday's service.
Ongoing coverage:
- Lt. Ed Walsh's Ring Found in Rubble, Returned to Widow
- Somber Tribute at Logan Airport
- Students Sing 'Amazing Grace' for Firefighters
- Boston Bruins Honor Ed Walsh, Michael Kennedy
- Furnace May Have Sparked Back Bay Blaze
- Memorial Fund Established for Fallen Firefighters
- 2 Firefighters Killed, 18 Hurt in 9-Alarm Back Bay Fire
- Ed Walsh, Mike Kennedy Mourned
- Back Bay Fire: Photos, Video
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