Blue Mass honors firefighter Paul Foley

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - On Saturday night, the Blue Mass at St. Michael's Church in West Springfield, recognized those lives lost on the force this year.

One of the men honored at the Blue Mass was 46-year old West Springfield fireman, Paul Foley.

Foley died while scuba diving off of the coast of Gloucester in September.

West Springfield Fire Chief David Barkman told 22News memorializing Foley at the Blue Mass was very special for the department.

"We had lost a fire fighter that has been on the department for 24 years and it was a tragic death. It was quite a blow to the department, and it is nice to have a memoriam, not only to that individual but individuals from other communities."

Saturday's mass also recognized the lost lives of Westfield fireman Glen Walz and Springfield Police Officer Michael Vezzolla.