Former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino Dies at 71

Longtime Boston Mayor Thomas Menino died on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the age of 71 following a battle with cancer.

Menino, who served as the city’s mayor from 1993 until 2013, announced in March that he had been diagnosed with an advanced form of cancer, and subsequently underwent chemotherapy treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Menino’s death comes one day after he was reportedly visited by Cardinal Sean O’Malley while in hospice care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he reportedly opted to suspend cancer treatment, according to CBS Boston.

A formal announcement was made on Menino’s website, tommenino.org, Thursday morning:

“At just after 9:00 a.m. this morning the Honorable Thomas M. Menino passed into eternal rest after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his devoted wife Angela, loving family, and friends. Mayor Menino, the longest serving Mayor of the City of Boston, led our city through a transformation of neighborhood resurgence and historic growth — leaving the job he loved, serving the city and people he loved this past January. We ask that you respect the families’ privacy during this time.”

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced via the website as information becomes available.

Current Boston Mayor Martin Walsh issued the following statement on Thursday in response to Menino’s passing:

“Today the City of Boston mourns together.

“To any who had come to know him, it is no surprise that more than half of Boston had a direct interaction with Tom Menino. No man possessed a greater love for our City, and his dedicated life in service to Boston and her people and changed the face of the City.

“With sheer determination and unmatched work ethic, he took a city that is not as big in size as we are in stature and put us on the world stage as a national leader in health care, education, innovation and the nitty gritty of executing basic city services.

“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.

“Even in the latest stages of his illness, his concern – first and foremost – was always for Boston. We are forever grateful for Mayor Menino’s guidance, advice, and continued dedication to Boston. And though he has passed, his legacy and spirit will be felt across the City for generations to come.

“Because of his leadership, Boston is a better place today.

“From a grateful City: Our prayers are with Angela, Susan and Tommy, their families and friends, and all who loved Tom Menino.”

For more on Menino’s accomplishments as Mayor, head over to The Boston Globe >>