As firefighters gathered on Sunday morning, Oct. 31, they removed the black ribbons from across their badges that had remained for almost two months. 

Members of the department gathered in the commuter parking lot near the Metro North station to dedicate Fire Boat Five in memory of honorary chief John Kelly, who died, along with Anthony Ruggiero, on Labor Day.

Although it was impossible to forget the accident that took both men's lives, Sunday's boat naming was a celebration of the life of John Kelly, and not a mourning for the fallen firefighters.

Deputy chief Bill Logan Sr. pointed out that Tarrytown had bought its first rescue boat 25 years ago "and John Kelly was there from day one." It was only fitting that the boat be re-named for the man. 

"He was an amazing volunteer," Logan said. "He will be with us on each and every call as we go out on the river."

Kelly's family members, about one hundred firefighters, and relatives and friends were in attendance. In a stirring tribute, firefighters acknowledged that Tarrytown will always have a Chief John Kelly fire boat.

"Other boats may replace it, but they will always be named Chief John Kelly," Logan said. 

Logan mentioned that during the past 25 years the boat did not have a name. "It was just Boat Number Five," he said. The name plate was donated by the Village of Mamaroneck's volunteer fire department.

At the conclusion of Logan's salute, Brianna Kelly, the fallen firefighter's daughter, christened the boat with a bottle of champagne.

Kelly was a member of many companies within the Tarrytown Fire Department, most recently of Conqueror Hook and Ladder. He had provided service in the department for 33 years.

In addition to being a member of the marine unit of the Tarrytown Fire Department, he served in the Sleepy Hollow Ambulance Corps and with Town of Greenburgh Civil Defense.

After the ceremony,  firefighters gathered for a group photo before the newly christened boat, all the village's fire apparatus, and the uniforms of both Kelly and Ruggiero.