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Gary Sinise honors fallen Boston firefighter at foundation event

The “Forrest Gump” actor visited Boston firefighters and served first responders and their families in honor of Robert “Bobby” Kilduff Jr., who died in the line of duty

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Gary Sinese/Facebook

By David Cifarelli
masslive.com

BOSTON — The recent death of a Boston firefighter has caught the attention of a retired movie star.

Actor Gary Sinise visited the firehouse of his non-profit organization, Gary Sinise Foundation, in Boston Tuesday to honor Bobby Kilduff.

Kilduff was a 24-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department who died while fighting a fire in Dorchester in May.

| MORE: Fallen Boston firefighter saved colleagues before fatal collapse

During his visit, Sinise served food to fellow first-responders and their families, the Oscar nominee said in an X post.

“BK dedicated his life to serving others, and it was very special to spend time with the men and women who knew and loved him and who continue that tradition of service every day,” Sinise wrote in the X post.

“Always grateful for the opportunity to say thank you to our first responders and their families,” the actor wrote. “God bless you all.”

Kilduff, 53, known as BK, died while responding to a fire at 18 Treadway Road in Dorchester after falling from a third-story window. He was a third-generation firefighter and a Marine veteran.

Kilduff is survived by his son, Mason, his daughter, Hannah Jane, and his longtime partner, Jessica Struell. A funeral mass for the fallen firefighter was held June 1 at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston’s South End.

The Gary Sinise Foundation honors and supports U.S. veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families.

Sinise, who is best known for playing Lieutenant Dan in the movie “Forrest Gump,” established the foundation in 2010 or 2011 after decades of advocating for military members.

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