Michael Kennedy - Firefighter - Boston, Massachusetts

Michael Kennedy

Firefighter Michael R. Kennedy, age 33, of Hyde Park, died in the line of duty on March 26, 2014, at a hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Firefighter Kennedy was a member of the Boston Fire Department. He was stationed at the Engine 33 Firehouse. He had over six years of service.

He was known as Mike to his family and friends.

A call came in about 2:43 p.m. that a suite in the basement of an apartment block was on fire. The fire was fanned by high winds and escalated quickly. 160 firefighters responded to the scene.

Firefighter Michael Kennedy and Lieutenant Edward Walsh Jr. went straight to the basement. Within several minutes they became trapped and called "mayday". Their colleagues tried valiantly to rescue the trapped men but the super-heated air and smoke and an explosive backdraft made it extremely difficult to reach them.

Michael was found by his colleagues and was rushed to a local hospital where tragically he passed away.

All of the building's residents were evacuated safely. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Michael was a Marine Corp Veteran who had served in Iraq. When he returned to the USA he went straight to the fire department.

The Boston Fire Department is in mourning over the deaths of their brothers.

Mike was a dedicated firefighter. He was a fitness enthusiast and was into motorcycles.

He was very involved in the Department's burn foundation which helps raise funds for burn victims. He had volunteered for 7 years as a Big Brother for a 14 year old boy.  He will forever be missed by this boy and his family. 

Florian, Patron Saint of
Firefighters, pray for Mike
and for those who have lost him.

Michael led a Boston Fire Department contingent last month in traveling to Rhode Island to donate blood, join the bone marrow registry, and show support for a 6-year-old boy with leukemia. 

Michael had been a first responder at the Boston Marathon bombing. 

Friends describe him as a fun loving guy who always had a smile on his face.  He was helpful to others and concerned about others. 

Other friends describe him as kind and brave.

Michael is survived by many loving comrades, friends and family members including his mother.

Thank you for your service to the public, Michael.

Pray for all who die in the line of duty.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and gone the next.

Pray that Michael is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.