Medford Man a 'Hero Among Us'

A Medford man who worked as a mediator during the busing integration in the 1970s was honored as Boston Celtics Heroes Among Us recipient at a State House ceremony earlier this month.

Clifford Weeks was honored for dedicating over 37 years of his life to working with Boston public schools, the Boston communities and Berklee City Music. During that time, he served as a music teacher, curriculum advisor, administrator and mentor.

Weeks played a significant role as mediator during the tumultuous Boston Public Schools busing era in the 1970’s, helping bring peace and contribute to changes in policy that are still felt today. 

Weeks has won numerous awards including most recently the 2010 Berklee College Urban Service Legacy Award.

Along with the other 2010-11 Hero recipients, Clifford was recognized by Celtics legends Bob Cousy and Tom “Satch” Sanders, Massachusetts State Treasurer Steven Grossman, and Celtics Managing Partner and Governor Wyc Grousbeck in a State House ceremony Aug. 1.

Weeks was initially honored during the March 9, 2011 Boston Celtics home game vs. the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Heroes Among Us award, established by the Celtics thirteen years ago, recognizes outstanding individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to their communities. More than 600 individuals have been honored since the inception of the program.

“Every story is an amazing testament of the courage and strength of the individuals that we honor at this ceremony each summer,” Celtics Legend Tom “Satch” Sanders said in a press release. “From all of us in the Celtics organization, thank you for coming out today and congratulations to our 2010-2011 Boston Celtics Heroes Among Us recipients.”

Heroes Among Us honorees for the 2010-11 season included: William Barror (Beverly, MA), Sean Kiley (Merrimac, MA), J.T. Carroll (Chelmsford, MA), Scott Smiley (West Point, NY), Sue Dwyer (Littleton, MA), The Griffin-Drury Family (Wellesley, MA), Claire McCarthy (Melrose, MA), Daniel Soto (Lowell, MA), Emerson Miller (Jamaica Plain, MA), Tyler Healy (South Weymouth, MA),  Kyle Snook (Concord, MA), Andy Kingsley (Athol, MA), Ethan Daniel (Dorchester, MA), John Brady (Lowell, MA), Ryan Martin (Lowell, MA), Tim Bracee (Lowell, MA), Michael Dion (Lowell, MA), Dave Cummings (Epsom, NH), Dennis Leahey (Providence, RI), Jerry Henry (Mattapan, MA), Rebecca Morse (Norton, MA),  Alice & Chris Greenleaf (Rochester, NH),  Jill Vialet (Oakland, CA), Greg Pauli (Huntington, MA), Debra Blandin (Boston, MA), Carolyn Kennedy (Brockton, MA), Barbara Shapiro (Needham, MA), Maria Mason (Springfield, MA), Dolores Johnson (Cambridge, MA), Judy Richards (Carver, MA),  Sabine St. Lot (Brockton, MA), Stephen Nestor (Salem, NH),  Gengel Family (Holden, MA), Christopher Jett (Deceased) (Pittsfield, ME), Paul Karrlsson-Willis (Ipswich, MA), Anjali J.Forber-Pratt (Natick, MA), Clifford Weeks (Medford, MA), Colleen Flanagan (Jamaica Plain, MA),  Jody Whyte (Milford, MA),  Jack Maguire (Deceased) (Wilmington, MA), Sean Lewis (New London, CT), Karla Romero (Malden, MA), James Kutsch (Morristown, NJ), Sean Brennan (Reading, MA), Catherine Lee (North Andover, MA), Allie McMullen (Lexington, MA), Dora Masciave (Tewksbury, MA), Mickie Chou (Lowell, MA), Komsan Say (Lowell, MA), Spc. Craig Hall (Ware, MA), Todd Flannery (Swampscott, MA).

Nominations for the Heroes Among Us Award can be mailed to:

Heroes Among Us Award
c/o The Boston Celtics
226 Causeway Street
Boston, MA 02114

The information in this report comes from a press release provided by the Boston Celtics and State Lottery Commission.