Walter

LYNN - Former State Sen. Walter Boverini, 84, who had a long and storied political career spanning two decades, died Saturday afternoon after a brief illness.

Boverini’s daughter, Maria Boverini, confirmed late Saturday afternoon that her father died at approximately 1:30 with his wife, Christine, at his side.

Boverini was elected to the senate in 1972, only after he had a distinguished military career, had served as a public schoolteacher, high school coach and served as a state representative in 1971-72.

Boverini flew 35 combat missions over Europe in World War II and received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He coached at St. Mary’s and English High and taught English and physical education at English before becoming the school’s vice principal.

Lynn Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. said, “Walter was a very wise man. You hear a lot about his being a teacher and coach and his year is the legislature, but if you got to know him you realized what a very wise man he was. I believe he got so wise from his upbringing, education and world experience.”

In 1970, he ran for state representative in the former 9th Essex District at a time when the Massachusetts House had 240 instead of the current 160 members.

He topped a seven-candidate ticket along with attorney James Carrigan and the pair went to the State House where Carrigan went on to win a special election to fill the 1st Essex Senate seat.

Boverini ran for the seat in 1972 and fought the toughest battle of his political career against Carrigan. He won 11,776 to 11,290.

While Boverini was instrumental in getting many bills through the legislature, including the Collins-Boverini bill, which served as the precursor to education reform, it was the little things he did he believed were important.

Boverini secured funding late in his senate career for benches to be added along Lynn Shore Drive in Lynn, and according to Maria Boverini, it was one of the accomplishments he was most proud of.

Former Senate President William Bulger, who served with Boverini said, “Walter was in the senate to do his job for the constituents,” Bulger said. “Walter always looked at his public service as something that was always worth giving his best shot. Walter did his job when he was in the senate and it was never important for him to make sure everyone knew what he accomplished. His attitude was always to make sure he knew he had done what he could to help the people.”

Bulger, who last saw Boverini last week said, “Walter was a very earthy person and there is no doubt he got that way because of his upbringing and the fact that his world had been tempered by war,” Bulger said. “Because he understood how brief life is, he was always able to keep things in their proper perspective.”

If I had to use one word to describe Walter it would, without a doubt, be judgment,” Bulger said.

Boverini became the senate’s second assistant majority leader in 1979 and became majority leader in 1985.

Boverini announced in 1994 he would not seek re-election.

State Sen. Fred Berry, who was the second assistant majority leader under Bulger and Boverini from 1991-’94, said he always thought Boverini would go on forever, saying he was always so tanned and looked so healthy.

“We (Bulger, Boverini and myself) were known as the ‘Killer Bs’ in the senate and Walter was the team captain,” Berry said Sunday afternoon. “Walter had a real gift for dealing with people and he could persuade people to do the right thing for the commonwealth.”

Berry, who said he is looking forward to be sworn in for his 14th term next month, said, “Walter was a real team player who always led by example. No matter what, Walter was always there to help me though things.”

Berry said Boverini was a political barometer for Lynn, and that the Lynn community had lost a hero.

“What made Walter a great senator and great majority leader is that he knew we all had to worry about the substance of things at hand and not appearances,” Bulger said. “Too many people get wrapped up in appearances, but not Walter.”

Boverini’s tenure as a teacher, coach and vice principal steered him during his legislative years to education issues. He was chairman of the joint committee on education for six years and led commissions studying unequal education opportunities and higher education reform.

Former North Shore Community College vice president Jack Barry said Boverini was a mentor and, most importantly a friend.

“I always thought of Walter as a man with tremendous common sense,” Barry said. “In my capacity at North Shore I would see him frequently and the advice he would offer was always so sound and it allowed me to better serve the students at North Shore.”

Eighteenth century English author Samuel Johnson wrote, “Example is always more efficacious than precept.”

“That is exactly how Walter Boverini has lived every day of his life,” Bulger said. “He simply led by example.”

The funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 11 a.m. at Holy family Church with burial to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Lynn. Visiting hours are 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at Solimine, Landergan and Richardson Funeral Home, 426 Broadway in Lynn.