John F. Collins

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John F. Collins
Portrait of Collins on exterior wall of Boston City Hall (2008 photo)
50th Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts
In office
1960–1968
Preceded by John B. Hynes
Succeeded by Kevin H. White
Personal details
Born July 20, 1919
Boston, Massachusetts
Died November 23, 1995(1995-11-23) (aged 76)
Boston, Massachusetts
Resting place St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA
Nationality American
Political party Democratic
Alma mater Suffolk University Law School
Profession Lawyer
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Battles/wars World War II

John Frederick Collins (1919–1995) was the mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, United States from 1960 to 1968.

Contents

[edit] Biography

John Collins was born in Roxbury, Boston on July 20, 1919.[1] In 1941 he graduated from Suffolk University Law School.[1] He served a tour in the Army during World War II and four years later was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate.[1] Collins spent two terms as senator and then ran unsuccessfully for state attorney general in 1954.[1] While campaigning for a seat on the City Council in 1955, he contracted polio, but continued with his campaign despite warnings from his doctors.[1] He was elected to the Council and the following year was appointed to Register of Probate for Suffolk County.[1] In 1959, he ran against John E. Powers for Mayor of Boston. Collins was widely viewed as the underdog in the race.[1]

After leaving office in 1968, Collins held visiting and consulting professorships at MIT for 13 years.[2]

[edit] Death and burial

Collins died of pneumonia in Boston, on November 23, 1995. He was buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury, five days later, following a funeral Mass at Boston's Holy Cross Cathedral celebrated by Cardinal Bernard Law.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g O'Connor, T.H. (1997). Boston Irish: A Political History. New York: Back Bay Books.
  2. ^ http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/1995/collins-1129.html
  3. ^ http://www.nndb.com/people/751/000163262/

[edit] External links

Political offices
Preceded by
John Hynes
Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts
1960 - 1968
Succeeded by
Kevin White


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