BOSTON, MA — The community paid its respects Monday to the fallen firefighter who died in the line of duty, according to a report from WCVB NewsCenter 5.
A procession of Boston Fire Department engines carried the flag-draped coffin of Robert Kilduff, Jr. to Cathedral of the Holy Cross at 1400 Washington St. for his funeral mass at 10 a.m.
Kilduff fell from the third floor of a Dorchester home on Treadway Road while battling a three-alarm fire on Saturday, May 23 and ultimately succumbed to his injuries. He worked for the Boston Fire Department for 24 years after serving in the United States Marine Corps. He also worked at the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and was a member of the International Association of Firefighters. The 53-year-old is survived by his two children and long-time girlfriend.
Boston Archbishop Richard Henning presided over the mass. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Fire Commissioner Rodney Marshall were among speakers. Wu led a line of hundreds of firefighters through Saint Theresa of Avila Parish on Centre Street in West Roxbury Sunday afternoon for Kilduff's wake. New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft was among the attendees.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced it will pay off the remaining mortgage on Kilduff’s home as well as the remaining education expenses for his two children. The national nonprofit was founded in memory of New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who was killed in the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Tunnel to Towers has multiple core programs that support first responders and veterans with housing and other financial resources.
Read more at WCVB NewsCenter 5.
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