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~~IAFF Mourns Loss of Two Boston Local 718 Members
UPDATED March 29, 2014 – The IAFF is saddened to learn that two Boston, MA Local 718 members – Edward Walsh Jr., 43, and Michael Kennedy, 33 -- made the ultimate sacrifice on March 26 while responding to a nine-alarm brownstone fire in the Back Bay section of the City.
Memorial Services Information
The Visitation for Brother Walsh will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472, (617) 926-9680. The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. also at St. Patrick’s Church.
Staging Area for Lt. Edward Walsh Walk-by
Members wishing to attend the walk-by at the wake of Lt Edward Walsh on Tuesday, April 1 shall report to the staging area at the old Sears facility at 115 Cambridge Street, Brighton. To enter, go to the intersection of Windom Street and Cambridge Street. This area can be easily accessed from the Mass Pike by exiting at Exit 18 Westbound from the city or Exit 20 Eastbound from west of the city. Buses will be transporting members to the wake at 1:30 p.m. After the walk-by is completed, buses will return members to the staging area.
The Visitation for Brother Kennedy will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the P. E. Murray-F. J. Higgins George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 2000 Center Street, West Roxbury, Massachusetts 02132, (617) 325-2000. Firefighter Walk-by will be from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Name Church, 1689 Center Street, West Roxbury, Massachusetts 02132, (617) 325-4865.
Staging Area for the Funeral of Lt. Edward Walsh
All Members attending the funeral of Lt. Edward Walsh on Wednesday, April 2 shall report to the Bayside Expo Center, 200 Mt Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA. This includes Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts members, all Honor Guards, buses and members attending from out of state. Buses will start leaving the staging area at 6:30 a.m. and last bus at 8:00 a.m.
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Thirteen others were injured, some seriously, and treated at the hospital. They suffered burns and broken bones, but none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.
“Our hearts are heavy today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and with all of our Local 718 brothers and sisters during this difficult time,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger.
For service information please look for updates on the Boston Firefighters Local 718 website and Facebook page set up in memory of Walsh and Kennedy. Donation information is below.
The fire started in the basement and spread very quickly because of the 45-miles-per-hour weather conditions. Walsh and Kennedy, both from Engine 33, went inside to assist with the interior attack, but called a Mayday within two or three minutes after entry.
Local 718 leaders report that early indications suggest that the intensity of the flames may have burned through their fire hoses, preventing them from putting water on the fire.
Both Local 718 members are being remembered for their commanding presence. Walsh, who had almost a decade on the job, comes from a family of fire fighters. His father and uncles served in Watertown and were members of Local l347.
Walsh is also remembered as a devoted family man. He leaves behind a wife and three children who are all under the age of 10.
Kennedy was a six-and-a-half year veteran fire fighter and a Marine Corps veteran. He was one of the first on the scene in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing last year.
He was dedicated to his City and community, even when he was not on the job. He worked with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and he worked hard to assist a blood and bone marrow registry drive in support of a six-year-old boy with leukemia.
A Lieutenant Walsh - Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund has been established at the Boston Fire Boston Firefighters Credit Union.
Donations will be accepted by mail by sending a check to:
Lieutenant Walsh - Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund
Boston Firefighters Credit Union
60 Hallet Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
Credit card donations are also be accepted on this website.
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