Thousands mourn fallen firefighter in Peabody

Firefighter James M. Rice today was praised as a “truly heroic’’ man who was one of the “special people’’ who risk their lives to protect the public.

BOSTON, MA 12/ 30/ 2011: The casket of Peabody firefighter James Michael Rice is taken from his Engine in Peabody at St John the Baptist Church. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: METRO TOPIC : 31peabody REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

James Rice’s casket was carried into St. John Baptist Church by his colleagues from Engine 5.

BOSTON, MA 12/ 30/ 2011: The casket is atop the Engine truck in a procession to the church. Peabody Firefighters funeral for James Michael Rice in Peabody at St John the Baptist Church. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: METRO TOPIC : 31peabody REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

On the way to the church, Rice's casket was carried through Peabody atop a ladder truck.

BOSTON, MA 12/ 30/ 2011: Peabody Firefighters funeral for James Michael Rice in Peabody at St John the Baptist Church. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: METRO TOPIC : 31peabody REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

They moved past hundreds of firefighters, police officers, and numerous political figures.

BOSTON, MA 12/ 30/ 2011: Family members walk behind the casket entering the church for Peabody Firefighters funeral James Michael Rice in Peabody at St John the Baptist Church. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: METRO TOPIC : 31peabody REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Rice's family walked behind the casket.

BOSTON, MA 12/ 30/ 2011:Family of James Michael Rice enter the church behind casket. Peabody Firefighters funeral for James Michael Rice in Peabody at St John the Baptist Church. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: METRO TOPIC : 31peabody REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Rice was killed last week while fighting an apartment building fire. He leaves his wife, Amy, and their three children.

BOSTON, MA 12/ 30/ 2011: Peabody Firefighters file into the church for the funeral of Peabody firefighter James Michael Rice in Peabody at St John the Baptist Church. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: METRO TOPIC : 31peabody REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Peabody firefighters filed into the church today.

BOSTON, MA 12/ 30/ 2011: Peabody Firefighters funeral for James Michael Rice in Peabody at St John the Baptist Church. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: METRO TOPIC : 31peabody REPORTER

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

The procession this morning was led by fire department honor guards, Peabody Police, and a contingent of drum and bagpipe corps.

Peabody, MA 122911 Madison Conrad (Cq), 12 (left), Tyler Conrad (cq), 13, and Lisa Roberts (cq), all from Peabody hold a sign during the wake of fallen Peabody firefighter James M. Rice at the Conway Cahill- Brodeur Funeral Home in Peabody on December 29, 2011. (Essdras M Suarez/ Globe Staff)/ MET

Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff

From left, Madison Conrad, Tyler Conrad, and Lisa Roberts, all of Peabody, held a sign for fallen firefighter James M. Rice yesterday.

Peabody, MA 122911 An unidentifed firefighter consoles a woman outside of the wake of fallen Peabody firefighter James M. Rice at the Conway Cahill- Brodeur Funeral Home in Peabody on December 29, 2011. (Essdras M Suarez/ Globe Staff)/ MET

Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff

A firefighter consoled a woman outside of the wake at Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home in Peabody yesterday.

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Boston Capital

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“Part of my happiness about how it’s going in the first week is we hoped it would go this well and that’s one of the reasons we’re back playing this soon.”

Wyc Grousbeck,  Celtics owner

Business

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A bear who sees a bright side, too

Ben Inker and his partner Jeremy Grantham’s almost perpetually gloomy outlooks have often paid off. But for all the gloom now, Inker is practically sunny.

Nation & World

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Muslims to skip Bloomberg breakfast

Religious leaders upset at police efforts to spy on Muslims plan to skip Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s annual year-end interfaith breakfast, saying Bloomberg shouldn’t be defending the tactics.

Sports

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Patriots notebook

Tom Brady back at Patriots’ practice

A day after skipping a workout, Brady returned to the field and was a limited participant in practice. He is expected to play Sunday despite a reported shoulder issue.

Movies

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NEW YEAR’S EVE: MOVIES

New Year’s Eve picks: film

If high-decibel parties, chilly strolls, or waiting around for the midnight hour to strike are not your idea of a memorable New Year’s Eve, there’s always the movies.