Peabody firefighter James M. Rice was ‘truly heroic,’ mourners told at funeral service

By Justin Rice, Globe Correspondent, John M. Guilfoil, Jenna Russell and John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

PEABODY - Firefighter James M. Rice was remembered today as a “truly heroic’’ man whose death has left a “giant hole’’ in the hearts of his family and his fellow firefighters in this North Shore city.

Speaking at the Greek Orthodox funeral service for Rice, Metropolitan Methodios described the 42-year-old Rice as a man with “character, courage and inner strength.’’

“What Jim Rice did last week was truly heroic,’’ Metropolitan Methodios said. “But I’m sure that he would say, and his fellow firefighters would say, they were only doing what the love to do -- to be firefighters, to serve the public, to save lives.’’

Also speaking at Rice’s funeral service was Rice’s father, Brian McKenna-Rice, the chief of the Peabody department, Steven Pasdon, Rice’s long-time friend, Peabody Fire Captain Jay Dowling, outgoing Mayor Michael Bonfanti and the Rev. Christopher Foustoukos, pastor of St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church.

Foustoukos spoke last and directed his comments at Rice’s three children, 12-year-old Alyssa, nine-year-old Katelyn and seven-year-old Ryan. Rice, he told them, was considered by his fellow firefighters to be a giant teddy bear.

Foustoukos then said that, to him, all firefighters look like giant teddy bears when they are wearing their gear, including their heavy protective jackets and boots. He then had three teddy bears, dressed like firefighters, given to the children who sat in the front of the church just a few feet from their father’s coffin.

“My hope is that this brings you some comfort in the days ahead. There will be days that will be difficult,’’ he told the children. He then told them to share their feelings with someone, and that it will be okay for them to be angry, upset and sometimes angry.

“But you have a loving family who will be around for you,’’ he told the children. He also told them that Dowling, their father’s lifelong friend, and the Peabody department will be there for them, too.

“All of these guys, all of them, to a man, are here for you,’’ Foustoukos said.

Rice’s father, Brian McKenna-Rice told mourners that he and his family now have a “giant hole in the hearts’’ that will be filled by the memories they all now hold close.

McKenna-Rice expressed his thanks for the outpouring of support his family has received since his son’s death. But, he said, he now understands it “is not because Jim died. It’s because he lived.’’

Dowling, Rice’s close friend, said that Rice married his best friend in 1995 when he married his wife, Amy, whom he described as Rice’s “life. The one he would love forever.’’ He also said that Rice was a devoted father and a man who was proud to be a firefighter.

“My life is better having known Jim Rice,’’ Dowling said. “I will miss you buddy. And may you rest in peace.’’

Standing a few feet from Rice’s casket which was placed at the front of the church with his helmet on top, Metropolitan Methodios said that Rice was part of a special community of people for whom careers as firefighters and police officers is not a job, but “a vocation. It is a calling.’’

“In a generation that has become known as the ‘Me Generation,’ when many of us selfishly think only of themselves. In an age of entitlement when many of us feel we are entitled to what we have, and what we get from others, including our government,’’ he said. “In times such as these, I thank God Almighty for men like Jim Rice and the men and women like him that have courage, character and inner strength.’’

Metropolitan Methodios said Rice and others in public safety leave home every day knowing “in their hearts that it could be the day they will have to prove that greater love hath no man than than this, to lay down his life for his friends. For Jim Rice, that day was December 23.’’

Rice’s casket was carried into St. John Baptist Church -- St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church is being renovated -- by his colleagues from Engine 5. They carried the casket past hundreds of firefighters in dress uniform, police officers from Peabody and numerous political figures, including Governor Deval Patrick who stood in respectful silence outside.

Rice’s commanding officer, Fire Chief Steven Pasdon, offered an eulogy that mixed Biblical references with commentary about the technical skills and equipment firefighters use every day.

Pasdon said that firefighters routinely use equipment -- thermal imaging equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus -- that now allows them to literally step inside flames themselves.

“It has in one way increased our safety and enabled us to save lives,’’ Pasdon said. “At the same time, it has equipped us to get further into the most hostile environment known to man, endangering the lives of firefighters more than ever before.’’

Before Rice’s casket arrived at the church, Fire Lieutenant Kevin Cooney of Manchester, Conn., explained why he traveled to Massachusetts today.

“It’s miles away and miles away,’’ the 46-year-old Cooney said today. “But it still hits close to home.’’

Rice was killed last week while fighting an accidental fire inside a Hancock Street apartment building.

The procession moved through Peabody Square led by fire department honor guards, Peabody Police and a contingent of drum and bagpipe corps.

Rice was one of four firefighters whose deaths are considered to have happened in the line of duty this December, according to the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, the statewide union. The others are Worcester firefighter Jon Davies, Sr., Methuen firefighter Robert George and Medford firefighter Randy Rideout.

The Worcester department, which mourned Davies earlier this month, sent 100 firefighters to today’s funeral service. Davies’ relatives met with Rice’s relatives at the wake last night.