FIREFIGHTER MEMORIALS

This page contains information on the variety of Firefighter Memorials within the City of Boston.

FIREFIGHTER'S MONUMENT

Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain

The imposing Firefighter's Monument at Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain was dedicated in 1909 to the memory of deceased firefighters of the Boston Fire Department. It is located within the Firemen's Lot at the Cemetery. The Lot was established in 1857, with enough space to provide for 249 graves. The first burials at the Lot were for two firemen who died in the line of duty on May 2, 1858 at 133-139 Federal St., Downtown.

The Monument dedicated on June 13, 1909 is a 9ft, 3in. bronze statue of a firefighter standing atop a granite base. The statue was cast at a foundry in Chicopee, while the base was constructed at Quincy Granite in Quincy. The overall height of the Monument is 26 ft. tall. Attached to the base on the four sides are bronze tablets depicting in bas-relief: a steam fire engine; a hook & ladder truck; a protective wagon; and a handtub pumper. An inscription at the bottom of the base reads: "In Memory of Departed Comrades".

Each year on the second Sunday in June, the Charitable Association of the Boston Fire Department conducts a memorial service to honor the deceased firefighters buried there and to pay tribute to all firefighters who have given their lives in the fire service.

The Firemen's Lot holds the remains of 137 members of the department, including 15 members who died in the line of duty. The most recent burials were in 2007.

Members interred here who died in the line of duty are:

Hoseman John W. Tuttle, Tremont Engine Company 12, May 2, 1858

Hoseman Francis F. Cutting, Tremont Engine Company 12, May 2, 1858

Ladderman Charles Carter, Ladder Company 1, February 18, 1860

Hoseman Reuben Hanaford, Hose Company 5, February 24, 1862

Hoseman George Abercrombie, Engine Company 7, July 11, 1862

Ladderman George Golliff, Ladder Company 1, May 11, 1868

Hoseman James Sturks, Engine Company 15, February 27, 1873

Hoseman Joseph Pierce, Engine Company 4, August 13, 1884

James Sweetzer, Protective Company 1, July 3, 1885

Ladderman Frank P. Loker, Ladder Company 3, November 28, 1889

Hoseman John P. Brooks, Hose Company 7, November 28, 1889

Hoseman Michael Murnan, Hose Company 7, November 28, 1889

Firefighter Edward Connolly, Ladder Company 17, March 21, 1986

Firefighter David A. Middleton, Engine Company 51, May 29, 2007

Firefighter Warren J. Payne, Ladder Company 25, August 29, 2007

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VENDOME MEMORIAL

Commonwealth Avenue & Dartmouth Street, Back Bay

The strikingly dignified Vendome Memorial recalls the tragedy that occurred just a few steps away on Father's Day, June 17, 1972. The fire at the Vendome Hotel claimed the lives of nine firefighters and injured many more. This fire remains the largest loss-of-life incident in the history of the Boston Fire Department.

The Memorial was dedicated on the 25th Anniversary of the Fire, June 17, 1997. It was designed by collaborators at the Third Floor Studio, Ted Clausen, artist, and Peter White, landscape architect. The Memorial is located on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall diagonally opposite the Vendome Hotel building.

When viewing the Memorial, the focus of the sweeping black stone draws a viewer to look up and across the street to the spot where the collapse occurred. At the apex of the Memorial is a firefighters turnout coat and helmet lying as if left there by a firefighter on the day of the fire. The helmet and turnout coat are of 1972 vintage.

A stone bench is situated to a allow a visitor to read the inscriptions and to contemplate the view to the Vendome Hotel. The incriptions on the Memorial lists each of the fallen firefighters, provides a timeline to the fire, and inspirational quotes on the lives of firefighters and the business of fighting fires. The memorial and bench rest upon a plaza of 154 dark pavers which represent the number of Boston firefighters killed up to and including the Vendome Fire.

The nine fighters who lost their lives at the Vendome Hotel Fire & Collapse are:

Fire Lieutenant John E. Hanbury, Jr., Ladder Company 13

Fire Lieutenant Thomas J. Carroll, Engine Company 32

Fire Fighter John E. Jameson, Engine Company 22

Fire Fighter Charles E. Dolan, Ladder Company 13

Fire Fighter Joseph P. Saniuk, Ladder Company 13

Fire Fighter Thomas W. Beckwith, Engine Company 32

Fire Fighter Paul J. Murphy, Engine Company 32

Fire Fighter Richard B. Magee, Engine Company 33

Fire Fighter Joseph F. Boucher, Jr., Engine Company 22

View the Vendome Memorial Program from June 17, 1997

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OTHER MEMORIALS

(More Information Being Developed)

• Lieutenant John J. McCorkle Fishing Pier, Castle Island, South Boston.
• Fire Fighter Robert Greene Monument and Playground, Castle Island, South Boston.
• Fire Fighter Francis L. Murphy Memorial Skating Rink, Day Boulevard, South Boston.
• Lieutenant Paul Lentini and Fire Fighter James Gibbons Memorial Diamond, East Second & N Streets, South Boston.
• Charlestown Firefighter's Memorial, Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown.
• Chief John A. Martin Playground, Hilltop Street, Dorchester.
• Fire Fighter Gerard Dewan (FDNY Ladder 3) Memorial, 1940 Centre Street, West Roxbury (Engine 30's Firehouse).
• Fire Fighter Dennis Crowe Memorial, L Street Bath House, Day Boulevard, South Boston.
• Lieutenant Stephen Minehan Memorial, on the waterfront at the Marriott Residence Inn, Water Street, Charlestown.
• Dorchester Firefighters (and Police) Memorial, Pope John Paul II Park, Neponset (Dorchester).
• East Boston sidewalk memorial to six firefighters killed (11/15/1942) at Luongo's in Maverick Square.
• Memorial to Boston Fire and Boston Police Departments, Lobby of 1 International Place, High & Oliver Sts., Downtown.
• Memorial Inscription on the facade of Fire Alarm Headquarters, 59 Fenway, Back Bay.
• Memorial plaques on firehouses across the city where firefighters who died in the line of duty were assigned.
• Firefighter's Memorial, on the grounds of the Massachusetts State House, Bowdoin Street, near Derne Street, Beacon Hill.

A memorial to Charlestown natives who lost their lives as members of the Boston Fire Department.

The memorial plaque to Lt. Stephen Minehan on the waterfront in Charlestown, circa 2010.

The dedication sign at the Chief (of Department) John A. Martin Playground, Hilltop St., Dorchester.

The dedication sign at the Lt. John J. McCorkle Fishing Pier, Castle Island, South Boston, circa 2010.

The sidewalk memorial plaque in Maverick Sq., near Henry St., for the 1942 Maverick Sq. Fire, c. 2010.