The 18th annual Shamrock Shootout was greeted by a warm sun, a good crowd, and lots and lots of hockey sticks on Sunday.

The celebration of hockey was bittersweet, as members remembered the recent loss of shootout volunteer and Boston Firefighter Bill Carey, who passed away in February of occupational cancer. Organizer Michael O’Brien said they were gratified to see so many people come out for his neighbor.

“They’re dedicating the corner to Bill Carey,” he said. “He died in the line of duty from occupational cancer. He was a great dedicated neighbor, a founding member of Fenian Sons, a local Irish band, just an unbelievable talent. His whole family is here. We’re dedicating this corner to him and Mayor Wu and the city have just been great about letting us do this and making the signs and putting them up. It’s just been great.”

O’Brien said Bill’s son Connor, his youngest, has been participating in the Shootout for years.

“And now he’s in charge of all those kids over there volunteering, and if that doesn’t say what this community’s about, I don’t know what does,” O’Brien said.

“This is a great community and it’s been great support through everything that’s been going on,” Connor Carey said. “The support we’ve had through this has been overwhelming. It just shows how much people care.”

O’Brien said the community will feel Bill’s loss for years.

“Just how much of a gentleman and good guy Billy was, he was dedicated to the fire department, dedicated to the community, and dedicated to his family,” he said.

Boston Firefighter Local 718 President Sam Dillon said they are still feeling Carey’s loss.

“Losing Billy was a tragedy for our job and our family,” he said. “But to see him recognized by the neighborhood and the city, it’s something special. Billy was not just a tremendous firefighter, he was a great family man and friend. He was such a staple of this community and this event. I mean his house is right over there, the opening face-off was pretty much on his doorstep, every year. To know that his name is going to be a part of this forever, keeping his name alive? That’s really special.”

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu dedicated the corner to William Carey.

“I want to thank the Carey family: Jill, Gavin, Molly, Connor, and Mrs. Carey. Thank you for your service here,” she said. “We all know Billy’s great great accomplishments and many accolades and recognition he got for his bravery and contributions to the department. The smiles he brought and comfort he brought as a member of the a cappella group, the Fenian Sons opening for Dropkick Murphys, I mean it was like he couldn’t contain the joy and love for community and dedication he had.”

Wu said Carey’s memory will go on with the Shootout, every year.

“So this day will always be celebrated with Shamrock Shootout as the crowning achievement, year after year, puck drop after puck drop, this is where you saw him shine, taking care of all the little ones, cheering them on, celebrating all of the highs, picking people up, and keeping them safe,” she said. “So for his 38 years of service as a firefighter and an EMT, we just wanted thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will always cherish his legacy, and we know he’s looking down right now and made the weather just right for a perfect day.”

State Rep. Bill MacGregor was also one of the speakers. “Today’s tournament is dedicated to Bill Carey and the lasting impact he had on all of us,” he said. “Bill truly lived a life of service. As a firefighter and EMT, he was truly always ready to help others. But his impact went beyond his work. Through his music, he brought people together with joy, laughter and a strong sense of community, often supporting charitable causes. Bill was proud to call the Parkway home, Roslindale and West Roxbury, and he represented the very best of what this community stands for.”

As far as the Shootout went, O’Brien said this year has seen more turnout than previous ones.

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“This has been a community event and every year it just gets bigger,” he said. “There are more people involved than there ever has been. Everybody wants to help. Everybody has a role and we get it done.”

O’Brien emphasized that each of the scores of small street hockey games and shootouts are administered by the kids themselves.

“You see all the kids with the red shirts on over there?” he said pointing. “They’ve already been through this and were like K1 when this started. No parents are involved in this, the kids ref and the kids coach. So you’re going to have a ninth grader coaching and reffing the kindergartners. I think that’s the best part of this whole thing. We started 18 years ago, me and Mark Sanders and Dave Tracey – so many people involved but that’s the best part.”

O’Brien said now that the tournament is 18, it’s got a few more rights then it used to have.

“Yeah we can vote now,” he said with a laugh. Immediately, one of the other volunteers said “Don’t you let Mike vote!” which elicited more laughter.

Volunteers Tony Casella, Lincoln Conree, Dylan Crowley and Ryan Dawley said they were volunteering from Catholic Memorial. Several said they hadn’t participated as kids, but heard about it and thought it would be a good service for their community service hours.

“We all go to CM, and one of our friends who helps run it also goes to CM,” said Casella. “So it seemed like a good fit.”

“We’re very excited,” said Conree.

Residents Justin Evans and Christine McNulty said they knew Carey and were not surprised by the impact he had on his neighborhood.

“I come every year because my kids used to play and then coach, but more than anything I’m here today to support the Carey family,” said Evans. “He was a great man. It’s difficult to describe, he had so many interests. Like the band and so on, but like he used to run up skyscrapers in full gear for charity and crazy stuff like that too.”

“He was just such a great guy and had a commitment to helping,” said McNulty.

Sponsors for this year’s shootout include the Zach Anzalone Foundation, State Sen. Michael Rush, District 6 City Councilor Ben Weber, the Halfway Cafe, The Dance Academy, the Painters and Allied Trades Union local 1952, In Memory of Kayla Renee, Corrigan, In Memory of Dennis McMorrow, In Memory of Chuck Harltey, Max McDonald Plumbing, Old Temple Street Bridge Gang, In Memory of James McCusker, Blue Line Financial, Chick Byrne Studio, ASAP Plumbing, In Memory of Bruce Higgins (BPD), In Memory of Greg Haugh, In Memory of Scott McIsaac (BPD), Edward Coppinger, Dunn-Gaherins Food and Spirits, In Memory of Rob Shea, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, Boston Police Patrolman’s Association, Boston Emerald Society, the Corrib Charitable Trust, Capron Lighting and Sound, Parkway Landscaping, Parkway Supports the O’Malley Family, Lord Mayor of West Roxbury Richie Gormley, Teamsters Local 25, Jim Schindler, Maiona Ward Immigration Law, At-Large City Councilor Erin Murphy, C. Costello Masonry, In & Out Junk Removal, The Temple Street McCarthys, Anna’s Pals, Parkway Real Estate, Mixins’, McClosky/Tracey Family, in Memory of Dave Hogan, In Memory of Jack Linso, Yeanie’s, Walter Gleeson, Rich O’Brien, Fenian Sons, Joe’s 320 Cafe, the Lauren Alessandro Memorial Foundation, TJA Plumbing and Heating, the John Connolly Memorial, Carrigg Monuments, In Memory of Bill O’Brien, BFD, Mary Hern, Connor’s Cup, The Staunton Family, and Kyle’s Klassic.