Commissioner Finn noted Father Mahoney also serves as pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Charlestown. However, he said, in addition to his spiritual work, "Father Dan has a very distinguished career on the fireground as well."
"He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 1983 for saving the Torahs from the destruction of a seven-alarm fire in Everett at the Temple of Tifereth. He was recognized by the city of Cambridge Fire Department with the combination award for risking his life in performance of his duties at a fatal helicopter crash at the boat house on Memorial Drive in January of 1989," he said.
"As you can see, Father Dan has been a very lucky man to have woven his two passions in life into one memorable career, and all of us present, his family, friends from Charlestown, Boston firefighters, brother firefighters from across the state, have all benefitted from this great man's love and devotion to the Church and his long devotion for his firefighters," he continued.
Father Mahoney also addressed the attendees.
"First, let me say how humbled I am to have Marine 2 named the Father Dan. In a certain sense the Father Dan includes every member of the Boston Fire Department, because every one of you and your families are with me every day at Mass and at prayer," he said.
"I have been humbled by the choice of the new name of the fire boat. Thank you, Commissioner, and thank all the members of the department who made that unanimous choice. Every Boston firefighter is my brother and sister, and believe me, I will always be your brother," he continued.
Attendees then processed outside, where Father Mahoney took a drape off the front of the boat, revealing the words "Father Dan" emblazoned in red on both sides of the vessel.
He blessed the boat before posing for pictures with firefighters, parishioners, and family members who attended the dedication ceremony.
Speaking with The Pilot following the event, Father Mahoney's cousin, Kathy, said she is "very proud" of her cousin.
"He's always been a model in the family -- he's somebody we always look up to... He's been an inspiration to all of his cousins and family members," she said.
Maureen Collier, a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales for almost 50 years, described her close connection to Father Mahoney.
"Father has married me, buried my parents... He's a close friend, member of our family," she said.
"We're just blessed to be part of the St. Francis family," she continued.