Close Menino Friends Prepare To Bid Mayor Farewell
BOSTON – Throughout the city Saturday, there were signs and banners honoring Mayor Tom Menino. Frank Sinatra's 'I Did It My Way,' was played in memory of the late mayor at Saturday's Bruins game.
Outside and inside Faneuil Hall, final arrangements were being made for Sunday when the public will have an opportunity to bid farewell.
Privately, Menino's family and closest friends prepare for his funeral.
"He was a fighter. He just never let on," said Lynne Smith.
"He was a terrific guy, he really was," said Gary Smith.
Gary and Lynne Smith of Wellesley had the privilege of calling Menino their friend for 15 years.
"People could feel the warmth. He wasn't like putting on airs. He was for real," said Lynne.
Die hard Red Sox fans themselves, the Smiths wanted to do something for their friend when he needed more assistance getting around.
"We just thought it was a fun thing. His other canes were not too attractive," said Lynne,
Last November, the Smiths had Menino's now famous baseball bat cane commissioned.
"His eyes lit up and it was like wow, this is pretty cool. We thought, maybe he'll use it a couple of times," said Lynne.
Tom Menino took that cane everywhere during the last year of his life.
"He may be gone from the physical person on Earth, but he's not gone. He's here. In many, many ways," said Lynne.
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