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Patriots, Bruins, Celtics Issue Statements On The Passing Of Former Boston Mayor Menino

BOSTON (CBS) -- Former Boston mayor Thomas Menino passed away on Thursday at the age of 71, leaving the city and everyone that's gone through it feeling sadness for the man who was in charge of Boston for more than 20 years.

Included in that group were the city's professional sports teams, who issued the following statements on the passing of Menino.

Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft
"Today is a sad day for so many in Boston who are mourning the loss of  Mayor Menino. Personally, my three favorite memories were the phone calls that I received from the mayor after each of our Super Bowl victories inviting the Patriots to celebrate with our fans in downtown Boston. I was so happy to accept his invitations. My thoughts and prayers are with Angela and the entire Menino family today"

Bruins Principal Charlie Jacobs
"I was saddened today to learn of the passing of Mayor Menino and on behalf of the Jacobs family I would like to express my deepest condolences to his family. My family and I witnessed firsthand how Mayor Menino's vision and leadership helped transform Boston into one of the greatest cities in the world. Today we join all Bostonians in mourning our loss and celebrating Mayor Menino's enduring legacy."

Bruins President Cam Neely
"The Boston Bruins organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Mayor Menino and we would like to express our deepest condolences to his family. Mayor Menino was synonymous with the City of Boston and the professional sports teams that represented it. His passion was always evident and his support unwavering. He will be deeply missed.

Celtics Managing Partners Wycliffe Grousbeck, H. Irving Grousbeck, Stephen Pagliuca and Robert Epstein
"The entire Boston Celtics organization and our ownership group are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved former mayor, and dear friend of the Celtics, Thomas M. Menino. Mayor Menino's love and devotion for the city of Boston and its residents will long be remembered by those who knew him, as well as future generations of Bostonians, who will benefit from his vision. We keep his wife Angela, daughter Susan, son Thomas, Jr. and his entire family in our thoughts at this time."

Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry
"The passing of Mayor Menino is a great loss for the City of Boston and for us personally. His passion for this city was legendary; his passion for the Red Sox extraordinary.  We were fortunate to learn from his wisdom when we arrived in Boston over a decade ago.  His support and leadership in the preservation of Fenway Park was critical in saving this ballpark.  We will miss his spirit, and we will miss his friendship."

Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner
"Mayor Menino taught us that cities are neighborhoods, and nowhere was that felt more strongly over these 13 years than in our own backyard at Fenway Park. For all of our desires to preserve and protect this ballpark, I don't know that it could have happened without the impassioned leadership of Mayor Menino.  We are grateful that he was with us to celebrate our championships, and to throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch when Fenway celebrated its 100th anniversary.  It's hard to imagine a mayor who was more beloved.  We are honored to have worked with him."

Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino
"Our city has lost a great mayor, the Red Sox have lost a knowledgeable and an extraordinarily passionate fan, and the preservation community has lost a great advocate. The preservation of Fenway Park was one of his greatest and proudest achievements.  He cared deeply about the growth of this neighborhood and the protection of this ballpark.

"Personally, Mayor Menino was like a big brother to me.  When I moved to Boston, he helped to make it my home.  We have lost a good man, and I have lost a really good friend."

Red Sox Designated Hitter David Ortiz

Catherin Varitek, Wife Of Former Red Sox Captain Jason Varitek

Patriots Hall of Famer Troy Brown

Red Sox Catcher David Ross

WATCH: Mayor Menino On Sports Final With Steve Burton In March 2013

Menino was the mayor of Boston during its most successful sports run in the past 15 or so years, overseeing championship parades in the city eight times since February 2002. And though he didn't always get the players' names right, his name flubs always made him more lovable.

Pedro Martinez, Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek, Mayor Thomas Menino, Leon Powe, Mark Recchi, Tedy Bruschi
Pedro Martinez, Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek, Mayor Thomas Menino, Leon Powe, Mark Recchi and Tedy Bruschi take the field at Fenway Park during the Red Sox championship celebration in April 2014. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

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