Thousands Mourn Firefighter Michael Kennedy

Thousands of people descended on West Roxbury Wednesday to mourn Michael Kennedy, one of the Boston firefighters killed in a nine-alarm blaze last week.

His wake started at 2:30 p.m. and was supposed to end at 8 p.m. As of 10:30 p.m., people were still lined up outside P.E. Murray Funeral Home on Centre Street.
Kennedy, 33, was killed alongside Lt. Ed Walsh, whose funeral was held earlier Wednesday in Watertown. They died fighting a blaze on Beacon Street that investigators say likely started in a heating system. Nearly 20 more first responders were injured.

“I just knew that if Mike was in that fire, he was wasn't leaving unless everybody else was out,” friend James Crosby told WHDH-7News. “He was one of the kindest people you'd ever meet."

Kennedy's funeral will be held Thursday at the Church of the Holy Name, located at 1689 Centre St. in West Roxbury, at 11 a.m.
A West Roxbury native, Kennedy lived in Hyde Park and was a six-veteran of the Boston Fire Department. He was one of the first responders in last year's Boston Marathon bombings. He served as a Marine and was involved in several community service initiatives, including being a Big Brother to a Milton teenager.

Ongoing coverage:

• 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