This past week, beloved longtime Mayor of Boston, Tom Menino, took his final ride around Bean Town. Although according to most, it was perhaps more of a victory lap.
Mayor Menino began his time as Boston’s favorite local leader in 1993, where he worked on well-known projects such as Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition with former New York Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, and implementing environmental actions to turn Boston from “Bean Town to Greentown.”
Most known for his efforts to make Boston the most livable of cities, Menino worked tirelessly to make sure that all neighborhoods received developmental attention, not just those that are the most fortunate or the most in need.
Due to health issues, Mayor Menino had his last day in office this past January, making him the longest serving mayor Boston has ever had. These health issues ended up being what eventually led to his passing on the 30th of October. On November 3rd, Mayor Menino had his final tour of the city he was so passionate about, hitting 10 of his favorite landmarks across the city including the Boston Common, The Freedom Trail, and Fenway Park, where Bostonians from all over lined the streets to bid him farewell.
At the funeral service held at Most Precious Blood Church in Hyde Park, an invite-only group of friends, coworkers and families filled the church including a few famous faces. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Vice President Joe Biden, former President Clinton, Celtics legend Bill Russell, and Red Sox superstars David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez were among those in attendance.
As one friend joked “Michael Thomas Menino…has gone to fix the potholes in heaven.”