Scores of firefighters, as well as other first responders, wait in line outside the Watertown church for the wake of Boston fire Lt. Edward Walsh.
Credit: Nicolaus Czarnecki/Metro
Firefighters from across the country are converging on the Boston area to honor two Boston firefighters who died battling a Back Bay fire last week.
The wake for Lt. Edward Walsh is scheduled to take place Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown. The services begin at 3 p.m. and last until 8 p.m.
Because of the large crowd of firefighters and others who are expected to turnout to pay their respects, Watertown police issued a series of road closures for Tuesday and Wednesday, the day of the funeral. Road closures began at noon on Tuesday.
Walsh’s funeral Mass will be said on Wednesday and thousands of firemen are expected, including the more than 100 firefighters coming up from Baltimore, according to the city fire department said on Twitter.
Walsh, a 43-year-old married father of three from West Roxbury, was remembered for his love of family. He helped coach his children’s sports teams, volunteered for various foundations and also worked at the Brighton YMCA.
Firefighter Michael Kennedy’s wake will be held Wednesday in West Roxbury. His funeral will be held on Thursday.
Walsh and Kennedy, who both worked at the Boylston Street firehouse, died Wednesday after they became trapped in the basement of a Beacon Street brownstone that caught fire. The 9-alarm blaze quickly raced through the building. The cause is under investigation.
Follow Michael Naughton on Twitter @metrobosmike.
