Since the death of former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino was announced yesterday, community leaders have been paying their respects to the city’s urban mechanic.
"He was a leader on policy issues that shaped the Boston we know today: from the environment, to youth engagement, to innovation, to crime prevention. But more than anything, he was a man of the neighborhoods. He held a profound understanding of the direct and immediate impact that municipal government can have on people, and made it a great priority to ensure that government served people, and not the other way around."
-Boston Mayor Marty Walsh
"Boston has lost a political giant, and Diane and I have lost a friend. Our hearts and prayers go out to Angela and the whole Menino family. And we thank God for the service and the life of Tom Menino."
-Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick
"Bold, big-hearted, and Boston-strong, Tom was the embodiment of the city he loved and led for more than two decades. As Boston’s longest-serving mayor, Tom helped make his hometown the vibrant, welcoming, world-class place it is today. His legacy lives on in every neighborhood he helped revitalize, every school he helped turn around, and every community he helped make a safer, better place to live. I had a chance to speak with Tom’s wife, Angela, yesterday, and today our thoughts and prayers are with her, with the entire Menino family, and with the people of Boston who Tom loved so much, and who loved him in return."
-President Barack Obama
"Tom Menino wasn’t satisfied with leading the best city in America; he wanted Boston to be the best city in the world. Tom Menino was an urban mechanic without equal, attuned to every detail in every neighborhood and forged a more inclusive Boston. Yet his vision for Boston was global, and he pushed the city into a new era of innovation. He helped this shining city on a hill illuminate its light across the world, building a beacon of innovation and entrepreneurship. He laid the foundation for Boston’s economic leadership in the 21st century, including spearheading the Boston Innovation District and developing the Seaport area."
-Sen. Edward J. Markey
"I was fortunate to have known and worked with Tom Menino for more than 20 years, and he cared about this city with all his heart and soul. He understood both the needs of everyday citizens, and the importance of providing opportunity through thoughtful economic development policies. During his tenure, Mayor Menino oversaw both the physical transformation of the city skyline and the transformation of our workforce and economy to one that is a leader in today’s global economy. He leaves behind a world-class city that is thriving and poised for continued success. We are all indebted to Tom Menino for his invaluable contributions, and we will all miss him very much."
-Paul Guzzi, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
"Tom Menino’s passing leaves a gigantic hole in the heart of the city he loved. His life and courage epitomized ‘Boston Strong’ and will inspire our community for generations to come. Barbara and I extend our condolences to Angela, the entire Menino family, and the people of Boston."
-Massachusetts Treasurer Steve Grossman
"Tom Menino and Blue Hills Bank shared a long history with Hyde Park, and Tom was deeply interested in making sure that the bank continued to grow and support the local area. We were honored when he chose to join the Blue Hills Bank board of directors, given all of the many offers he undoubtedly received. Tom’s heart was always in Boston, and he looked forward to helping us increase our connectivity with other Boston-based institutions. We all hoped that Tom’s tenure on the board would be a long one, and we valued his insight and honesty. We extend our deepest sympathy to Tom’s wife Angela and their family."
– William M. Parent, president and CEO of Blue Hills Bank
"Mayor Menino understood that if you connected with people and addressed their issues, no matter how small, that those small pieces could add up to a remarkable and impressive whole. He was, as he proudly called himself, an "urban mechanic," and he understood that fixing the small problems was often the best way to get the engine running. Today is a great loss for the city, but it is a profoundly personal one for the people of Boston. In an era where government is often criticized for not connecting with the people, Tom Menino showed there was still a way to bring a personal touch to the institution of city government."
-Paul S. Grogan, Boston Foundation president and CEO
