Firefighter Mike Kennedy: 'One of the Strongest Men I'll Ever Know'

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