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Preview: The Inauguration of the First Unofficial Mayor of West Roxbury

After a heated mock election that grew from Centre Street and spanned oceans, Lord Mayor Richie Gormley was chosen - and on Friday there will be a parade, a party, thanks to Patch.com.

 

 

On Friday night there will be an event that is not just about Richie Gormley, West Roxbury, or Boston - it's about democracy! You're not against democracy are you?! 

The Inauguration Parade for the first unofficial mayor of West Roxbury will get kicked off at 7 p.m. stepping off from the Gormley Funeral Home. The Inauguration Party will be held at the Irish Social Club afterwards.

But let's take a step back... on February 13, a simple article and poll was posted on WestRoxbury.Patch.com asking a simple question - who is the unofficial mayor of West Roxbury?

Before noon of that day nominee Tom "TD" Dougherty called me, suggesting the poll, which had a couple hundreds votes already, should be made into a fundraising event recognizing all nine original nominees.

Make a long story short - on Friday night, there will be one of the most unique celebrations in West Roxbury and Boston history. The West Roxbury Patch.com-sponsored - Inauguration of the first Unofficial Mayor of West Roxbury - with all door proceeds and auction items going to nominees charities of choice.

After 6,254 unscientific votes, Richie Gormley, was chosen by pollers as the unofficialy mayor. But it wasn't without help from his buddy, TD, who pledged his "internet savvy savantes" to Gormley's cause. The poll was up for about 4.5 days, and by the end there was an additional nominee, Paul "Cappy" Capodilupo, who got around 30 write-in votes with comments from his supporters about Cappy's dancing, landscaping, bowling and teaching abilities. How could a man like Mr. Cap, a Catholic Memorial living legend, not be honored with the nine original nominees? The people had spoken.

Before the party, Richie Gormley, often referred to as Lord Mayor Richie Gormley (like they do in Ireland), will lead a parade - stepping off from the Gormley Funeral Home on the dot at 7 p.m.! Please line Centre Street as the parade path will be from the funeral home, to the Corrib Pub, and then end at the Irish Social Club of Boston.

The parade will be quite the sight to see, including the Boston Police Gaelic Column (bagpipes and drums), the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard, the Boston Police MOP, and the Boston Police Emerald Society with Sgt. Tom Creavin and Jack Sheridan at the helm. Gormley’s Parkway Little League team, the Tigers, the Twins, along with tw members of all the teams in Parkway Little League, Parkway Girls Softball League and St. Theresa’s Boy Scouts will be carrying one of the largest American flags you have probably ever seen.

Also marching in the parade will be The Mary Heavey Quinn School of Irish Dance, West Roxbury YMCA employees and members, and members of the West Roxbury VFW Post 2902. 

After parading... the event at the Irish Social Club will be for adults only (except for some kids as VIPs for nominees) all 10 nominees will be honored during an entertaining and fun program that is scheduled to include: Boston Mayor Thomas Menino inaugurating Gormley by carrying him around in mayoral chains.

In an incredible sign of bipartisanship, politicians of both major political parties will be convening on one stage for presentations to Lord Mayor Gormley. Scheduled to appear, but not limited to, include: US Sen. Scott Brown, R-Massachusetts; state Sen. Mike Rush, D-West Roxbury; state Rep. Ed Coppinger, D-West Roxbury; Michael Lonergan, Consulate General of Ireland in Boston; US Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-9th; Former Mayor of Boston and Ambassador to the Vatican Ray Flynn; Bishop Arthur Kennedy and Bishop Emilio Allue; Boston City Council President Stephen Murphy, Boston City Councilors Matt O’Malley, John Connolly, Tito Jackson, Sal Lamatina, and other councillors.

Also making presentations and speaking briefly will be: James Hennigan III, Chair of the Board of Advisors, West Roxbury YMCA; Robert Nolan, President, Roscommon Healthcare; Brigid Boyle, Ethos Development Director; Commissioner of Public Safety for the Commonwealth of MA Mary Beth Heffernan; Monsignor William Helmick, St. Theresa of Avila in West Roxbury; Sergeant Tom Creavin, Emerald Society of the Boston Police Department; Father Dermot Roache, SMA Fathers in Dedham, who will offer the invocation and Alan MacKinnon, Gardens at Gethsemane Cemetery.  

A suggested donation of $10 at the door will go to the nominees chosen charities of choice: Richard Gormley, Boston Police Department Juvenile Diabetes Field of Dreams and Catholic Memorial, Mary Mulvey Jacobson, West Roxbury YMCA Reach Out and AgeWell West Roxbury, Tony Saroufim, American Arabic Benevolent Association, Tom Dougherty, Sagoff Breast Imaging and Diagnostic Center at the Faulkner Hospital and Holy Name School, Mike O’Brien, West Roxbury YMCA Reach Out and AgeWell West Roxbury, Chucky Bruen, St. Theresa School, Olivia Waishek, American Arabic Benevolent Association, Alice Hennessey, West Roxbury Friends of Rosie’s Place and West Roxbury Friends of the Library, Stephen Smith, Roslindale Food Pantry, and multiple vote write-in candidate Paul Capodilupo has chosen Catholic Memorial and St. Theresa CYO.

Said second-place finisher Mary Mulvey Jacobson, "This is truly a once in a lifetime event in West Roxbury. I guess you could say, historic in nature - complete with a parade, music, auctions, dignitaries, accolades, good sport and great fun! All the candidates will be recognized and the proceeds of the event will benefit local charities."

The event will be co-emceed and co-hosted by Patrick Purcell, Jr., Senior Regional Publisher and New England Ad Director for Patch, and West Roxbury Patch Editor David Ertischek.   

Check out all the articles on the West Roxbury Patch’s Official Page for the Unofficial Mayor of West Roxbury.    

Related Topics: Unofficial Mayor of West Roxbury

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