Thousands Paying Respects to Menino

On Sunday, thousands of Boston residents are expected to say their final goodbyes to longtime beloved Mayor Tom Menino.

On Sunday, thousands of Boston residents are expected to say their final goodbyes to longtime beloved Mayor Tom Menino.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh led a procession of 120 elected officials from City Hall to Faneuil Hall where the late mayor laid in state beginning at 10 a.m. 

"This is a man who was a giant in Boston and across the Commonwealth. He's touched the lives of so many people from myself to the attorney general, mayors, governors," said Mayor Setti Warren of Newton, Massachusetts.

"He was so kind to us and so thoughtful," Mayor Dan Rivera of Lawrence, Massachusetts, added. "We learned right off the bat to take care of the little things, things that matter to people. Watch the budget and listen, so when a guy with that lifetime of accomplishments tells you those things you listen."

Governor Deval Patrick, former Governor Michael Dukakis, and Secretary of State John Kerry also paid their respected to the late mayor.

"I think that of all the tributes that are being given to him, what's really nice is there's a unanimity about the difference this one person made to the lives of a lot of people, but especially to Boston. He was an amazing example," Secretary Kerry explained.

The public is welcome to pay their final respects to Mayor Menino, although parking is limited. Officials do not permit photography or video and ask that cell phones be turned off.

In addition, a public Mass honored Mayor Menino at 11:15 a.m. Sunday at Boston's Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

A private funeral Mass for family and friends will be held Monday at Most Precious Blood Parish in Boston's Hyde Park section. A large screen will be available at City Hall Plaza for the public to watch the Mass, according to Mayor Walsh.

Menino died at 71 on Thursday after battling cancer, less than a year after leaving his 20-year post as Boston's mayor. He was the longest serving mayor in the city's history.

Menino is survived by his wife, Angela, two children and six grandchildren. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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