Thousands gather for funeral of Boston firefighter Robert Kilduff

Thousands of mourners gathered Monday at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross for the funeral of Boston firefighter Robert "Bobby" Kilduff Jr., who died in the line of duty on May 23, battling a three-alarm fire in Dorchester.

First responders from across Massachusetts and other states — including New Hampshire, New York and California — lined Washington Street in Boston's South End to salute the funeral procession, at some points standing five people deep.

The procession, including bagpipers, passed under a massive American flag hanging over the street, held in place by the extended ladders of two fire trucks. The fire truck carrying Kilduff’s casket was draped with black bunting; the casket itself was covered with an American flag.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu were among the dignitaries at the funeral. Speaking at the service, Wu said Kilduff “embodies Boston.”

“ For nearly 350 years, longer than anywhere else in America, Boston firefighters have shown up. And when one of our protectors lays down their life in service to our city, every heart in Boston feels the pain of that loss,” Wu said.  “Bobby Kilduff answered the call. He gave his life making sure his neighbors got another day.”

Kilduff, 53, was a third-generation firefighter and a 24-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department. He was a leader in the firefighter’s union, a Pop Warner football coach and an active volunteer with the Gary Sinise Foundation, which supports grieving military and first responder families.

His daughter, Hanna Jane Kilduff, speaking at the funeral, said her father loved his community and his job, and dedicated his life to helping others.

”My dad represents everything our world can be if we look out for each other, if we reach out to help first and ask questions later,” she said  “Every day, he embodied what it means to be a good neighbor, a caring friend, an empathetic stranger.”

Hanna Jane Kilduff and her brother, Mason, were presented with the Martin E. Pierce Commemorative Line-of-Duty Death Medal at the funeral. The medal is the International Association of Fire Fighters’ highest honor, bestowed on the families of members who die in the line of duty.