Public Wake For Former Boston Mayor Kevin White At Parkman House
BOSTON (CBS) - It was a steady line of mourners at the Parkman House today, as over 5,000 people paid their respects to former Boston Mayor Kevin White.
"He took this city to another level," said former Mayor Ray Flynn. "His focus was on the downtown, and he did a masterful job."
From 1968, through 1983, Kevin White led the city through racially-charged times, and virtually reinvented downtown Boston and the waterfront. "History will judge him kindly, " said City Councilor Charles Yancy. "Because he was faced with a racially-torn city. But he handled it as well as anyone could at the time."
Current Mayor Tom Menino was ebullient with his praise for White. "He was a great leader, in a time that called for a great leader."
WBZ-TV's Bill Shields reports
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports
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White died last Friday after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 82.
At 5:45 p.m., there was still a long line of mourners on the sidewalk on Beacon Street, even though the wake started at 2p.m.
The funeral is set for Wednesday, with a procession from Beacon Hill, through the Back Bay.
