Longtime Boston Mayor Tom Menino Passes Away at 71
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Menino had been diagnosed with cancer shortly after he had left office in 2014, which eventually metastasized and spread to both his liver and lymph nodes. Menino had announced earlier this month that he would be suspending his cancer treatment so that he could spend more time with his family and friends.
“At just after 9:00 a.m. this morning, the Honorable Thomas M. Menino passed into eternal rest after a courageous batter with cancer,” said his longtime spokesperson Dot Joyce in a statement.” He was surrounded by his devoted wife Angela, loving family and friends. Mayor Menino, the longest serving Mayor of the City of Boston, led our city through a transformation of neighborhood resurgence and historic growth – leaving the job he loved, serving the city and people he loved this past January. We ask that you respect the families’ privacy during this time and arrangements for services will be announced soon.”
Menino - who was initially appointed acting Mayor of Boston in July of 1993 when former Mayor Ray Flynn was appointed to the role of United States Ambassador to the Holy See - was the Mayor of Boston for a total of more than 20 years, announcing that he would not seek reelection during the 2013 election season. He had also served as a Boston City Councilor in District 5 from 1984 (when the district was first created) to 1993.
“Mayor Menino had the courage to do whatever it took to fight for the people of Boston,” said Massachusetts Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo. “We are all beneficiaries of his generous spirit, particularly the children of Boston, for whom he advocated tirelessly so they would have bright futures. My deepest prayers are with Angela and the Menino family. We are grateful for the decades that you and Mayor Menino shared with the citizens of Massachusetts.”
MA Gubernatorial Candidates Respond
As a sign of respect for the passing of Menino, Charlie Baker and his running mate Karyn Polito have cancelled all public appearances for the next two days.
"If anyone deserved a long and satisfying retirement, it would be former Boston Mayor Tom Menino,” said Baker in a statement. “For two decades, he threw himself into the job of Mayor of Boston with an enthusiasm and intensity that may never be duplicated. Like the thousands of people he's helped, and the many more who simply grew to admire his work, his work ethic, and his deep love for and commitment to the city of Boston and its people, my wife Lauren and I are so sad to see him gone so soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Angela and their family."
Martha Coakley and her running mate Steve Kerrigan have also cancelled all public appearances for Thursday and offered statements about Menino’s passing.
“Today, Boston has lost the greatest mayor in its history. He was a friend and mentor, and a shining example to me and countless others of what it means to love and serve your community,” said Coakley. “What made Tom Menino so remarkable was his connection to the people he represented - he understood their lives, their hopes, and their dreams. And he fought for them every day. He never forgot where he came from and stayed true to who he was to the very end.”
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