KENNEDY, Michael Ryan (BFD Ladder 15) from injuries sustained in the line of duty fighting a 9 Alarm Fire, with Engine 33, in Boston’s Back Bay, March 26, 2014. Born in Boston on October 11, 1980. Age 33. Served honorably for 6 1/2 years in the U.S. Marine Corps., earning the rank of Sgt., Combat Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Beloved son of Paul Kennedy of Holbrook and Kathy Crosby-Bell and her husband William Bell of Cohasset. Devoted grandson of Christine Crosby of Plymouth and the late Robert Crosby, and Michael and Mary Ellen Kennedy. Survived by the love of his life, Sarah Wessmann of Dorchester.
Michael was nephew and godson to Maureen Kennedy Donovan and Jim Donovan. He was the beloved cousin and positive influence on the Kennedy cousins, J'aime Kennedy Donovan, Davin Kennedy and the late Brendan Kennedy.
Step-brother of Matthew D’Elia, Douglas Bell, Janice Fry, Amy Laliberte, Jeff Bell, Christopher Bell, Melinda, Eliana, and Tomas Crosby-Bell.
Michael was a Big Brother to Alex Beauzile through the Big Brother Program. Also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Michael was appointed to the Boston Fire Dept. Nov. 5, 2007 and formerly worked on Ladder 2, East Boston. Member of the American Infidels Veterans Motorcycle Club. He worked as a fundraiser for Wounded Warriors and for the Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation, and was a certified cross fit trainer. Attended Johnson & Wales Culinary Institute and used these talents to feed brother firefighters.
Visiting hours will be held in the P.E. Murray-F.J Higgins, George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home 2000 Centre St., WEST ROXBURY Wednesday from 4-8 pm. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Funeral Mass will be held in Holy Name Church 1689 Centre St., West Roxbury, Thursday at 11 am. Interment with Military Honors will follow at the Boston Firefighter’s Memorial Lot in Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael's memory to: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts, 75 Federal Street, Boston MA 02110 www.bbbsmb.org, or
The Wounded Warrior Project, 150 Cambridge Park Drive, Suite 202, Cambridge MA 02140 www.woundedwarriorproject.org, or
Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation, 55 Hallett Street, Dorchester, MA. 02124 617-839-4172 (Dennis Costin), or 617-448-3713 (Phil Skrabut) www.bostonfirefightersburnfoundation.com/donations.html.