About 150 residents, officials and firefighters came out on a hot Monday morning in the middle of Centre Street to celebrate the life Robert “BK” Kilduff by raising a memorial Hero Flag at the corner of Centre and Richwood.

The flag program has been around for a few years now in Boston and many West Roxbury corners have been dedicated to local veterans. Kilduff served in the Boston Fire Department (BFD) for 24 years, and was among the third generation of firefighters in his family. He served in the United States Marine Corps. before that and attained the rank of corporal in the service.

Kilduff died on May 23 at a fire in Dorchester. His last words were reportedly warnings to his fellow firefighters that the roof was about to give way.

Kilduff was an active member of the West Roxbury community, and family, friends and fellow firefighters shared his love of community during the dedication.

His two children, Hanna Jane and Mason Kilduff, spoke during the dedication ceremony.

“It’s an honor to wear the same last name as his on my uniform,” said Mason. “He really was the hero everyone says he is, and it’s awesome to be surrounded by so many people who loved him almost as much as me, so America!”

“My dad living in West Roxbury so much, and it’s just really beautiful that there is going to be a tribute to him here in Town, and we’re really grateful to everybody who made possible,” said Hanna Jane.

District 10 Chief Steve Mitchell said the Greg Hill Foundation first reached out to the department and the city to get this done, and with the help of the West Roxbury Main Streets, the department was able to whip up the ceremony in a flash.

“I remember Bobby’s first day in the fire house in 2003, and we’ve been friends ever since,” he said. “The thing I remember about Bobby is he always made the difficult, very easy. He always took something very hard – any kind of incident – and just made it relaxed. I remember a year ago we were here with a resident of West Roxbury stuck underneath the train – probably about three football fields away from here – and he was just calm as can be and professional as always.”

Mitchell said he still talks to his friend.

“Just remember, when you walk by here and see the banner, don’t be sad,” he said. “I was talking to him the other day, praying. Don’t be sad, he’s doing good up there. He’s on the Rescue, working with Mike Kennedy on it. Remember this is an amazing thing you guys put together. Thank you.”

BFD Lt. Greg Kelly said he felt heartfelt thanks for the quick effort to get the banner up before July 4.

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“I just want to say to the Greg Hill Foundation and the WRMS, on behalf of Rescue 2 and Engine 42 in Egleston Square, we just like to say we appreciate what you’re doing here and we’re happy to come out and support it,” Kelly said. “Anything we can do to remember our brother BK, we’re going to be all about that. Thank you to WRMS and the Greg Hill Foundation. Great work.”

Resident Ken Martin, who is also a managing director at the Greg Hill Foundation, said he was walking down the street a couple of weeks ago seeing the Hero Banners and thought, “Why not one for BK?”

After that, the Greg Hill Foundation reached out to the City of Boston and it came together very quickly.

“I wasn’t expecting this many people, this is crazy,” Martin said.

Greg Hill Foundation Executive Director Ashley Hanson said the Foundation has raised more than $67,000 for the family so far, but she hopes more will come.

“We’re hoping this can maybe jump up funds a little bit,” she said. “We’re just really honored to be here and be a part of it. We sponsored the banner, but these guys are the true heroes. We’re just happy to be the vessel that made it happen.”

To donate to the family through the Greg Hill Foundation, which Hanson said has donated $34 million to 10,000 people in the last 16 years, go to https://gvimes.link/ghfkilduff

There is also a GoFundMe for the family, which can be found at https://gvimes.link/kilduffdonate

The VFW Post 2902 Honor Guard attended and performed its services, led by Lord Mayor of West Roxbury and Post 2902 Commander Richie Gormley.