Oct 31, 2014 01:56 PM EDT
Boston’s Beloved Mayor Menino Dies Of Cancer: “Tom Was The Embodiment Of The City He Loved And Led”

Mayor Menino Cancer - Tom Menino served as Mayor in Boston for twenty years, becoming the longest-serving in the city. He died on Thursday at the age of 71.

On January, Menino retired from his charge due to his cancer. He announced the disease metastasized. And last week, he stopped treatment to dedicate time to his family and friends.

Before the disease, the former Mayor had already suffered two previous bouts of cancer, among other diseased. He was hospitalized several times during his serving, USA Today reported.

The Mayor was the first Italian-American to take on the role and he ended Irish dominance, which had been prolific for years. He started presiding in 1993.

"Crime fell, population rose, the skyline became world-class, schools got better, the financial, academic, medical sectors all thrived and neighborhoods became more diverse," the Secretary of State John Kerry said.

Former Mayor Menino was definitely one of the most beloved, if not the most, Boston's representatives. Multiple colleagues praised his doings. They all referred of him as someone who took others well-being as a priority.

After the first election he won in 1993, he became re-elected four times. After his retirement, Marty Walsh took over the post in November, becoming Boston's 54th Mayor.

Menino was also remembered by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which stated and hailed his work relating housing policy, new urban mechanics, local-food economy and gun safety.

Back in 2006, he co-founded Mayors Against Illegal Guns with Michael Bloomberg, New York's representative, and they succeeded at getting 1,000 local officials dedicating to reducing violence involving guns.

When the cancer metastasized, Mayor Menino left his post but didn't leave for good. He entered Boston University as a co-director of the Initiative of Cities. He also wrote a memoir titled, "Mayor For a New America," Boston Magazine noted.

He ended last week leaving all treatment for cancer and current posts to spend time with family and friends. He passed away surrounded by them.

"Bold, big-hearted, and Boston strong, Tom was the embodiment of the city he loved and led," President Barack Obama posted on his Twitter to remember Mayor Menino and his life accomplishments. 

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