Tom Menino Remembered In Historic Boston Tribute
BOSTON (CBS) — The city of Boston said goodbye Monday to its longest serving mayor with an historic tribute to Tom Menino.
Menino, 71, died Thursday after a battle with cancer.
Read: Funeral Service Program (.pdf)
Former President Bill Clinton arrived at Faneuil Hall just before 10:30 a.m. to pay his respects to Menino's wife Angela and their family. Clinton did not attend the funeral, but Vice President Joe Biden did.
Photos: Menino Funeral Procession
Nine pallbearers from the Boston Police special operations unit carried Menino's casket out of Faneuil Hall at 10:50 a.m. just before church bells across Boston rang 71 times – one for each year of his life - to honor the former mayor as he made his final ride through the city to Most Precious Blood Parish in Hyde Park for the funeral mass.
Read: The Procession Route (.pdf)
The procession first went to city hall, then the Parkman House, Boston University and Kenmore Square, Fenway Park, Dudley Square, Grove Hall, Franklin Park, Bowdoin Geneva, Mattapan Library and Roslindale Square before arriving at Most Precious Blood around 12:20 p.m.
Video: Farewell To Mayor Menino
The pallbearers removed the casket minutes later as bagpipes and drums played in the background. Menino's widow and family then followed the late mayor into the church as hundreds of people watched from outside in the chilly weather.
Each location on the route had a significant role in Menino's life and the public lined the procession route, holding signs reading "Thank You Mayor Menino."
Related Stories: Remembering Mayor Menino
The funeral, a private event broadcast online and on live television, began with Menino's successor Marty Walsh, thanking Angela Menino for her sacrifices and service to the city.
"You were the joys of his life," Walsh told Menino's children and grandchildren. He also paid tribute to everyone who served with Menino, calling them his "second family."
Governor Deval Patrick also thanked Angela Menino for her "grace and strength" during this heartbreaking time, saying her husband made time for "the meek and the mighty."
Patrick told several humorous stories, including one of how he met Menino in 2006, looking for the mayor's support in his first race for governor and how Menino said "no" because he was supporting someone else.
After the two talked for an hour, Patrick said Menino told him, "I can't be with you, but I won't hurt you."
Patrick also said Menino sent him a gift in the hospital after the governor had hip surgery. It included a soccer ball, jump rope and a note saying "quit faking it and get out of bed."
During Menino's final hospital stay, Patrick said the former mayor gave him a piece of advice - "Don't let the knuckleheads get you down."
Rev. John J. Connolly Jr. of St. John Chrysostom in West Roxbury, Menino's parish, delivered the homily, saying "as we honor Mayor Menino in this mass, may we walk in his footsteps."
Menino's six grandchildren all participated in the service. Giulia Fenton, Will Fenton, Taylor Menino, and Thomas Menino III each read part of the General Intercessions. Will Fenton and Thomas Menino III also served as pallbearers.
Granddaughters Olivia Fenton and Samantha Menino offered of words of remembrance, both sharing personal stories of their "papa" and how he wanted to know about the boys in their lives.
Fenton said "family came first" to her grandfather.
Watch: Olivia Fenton's Tribute
Samantha Menino told the audience that every time it snowed, "I called papa to tell him it was important school be cancelled."
Watch: Samantha Menino's Tribute
Menino's chief of staff Mitchell Weiss later cracked up the crowd before he spoke. As he stepped up to the lectern, he said, "If the mayor could, he would say, 'Get the Jewish kid a stool.'"
"A mayor who never sought higher office has one now," Weiss said. "This city loved him and so did I."
Cardinal Sean O'Malley presided over the mass.
Several well-known public figures attended the service, including the state's congressional delegation, leaders from Beacon Hill, Celtics Hall of Famer Bill Russell and Red Sox legends Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz.
As the service ended, John Stevens sang one of Menino's favorite songs, Frank Sinatra's "My Way."
After the mass, Menino was laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery, not far from his home in Hyde Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thomas. M. Menino Fund for Boston so that the family can continue to support the programs that Mayor Menino embraced and that helped so many.
Thomas M. Menino
Fund for Boston
75 Arlington Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
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