Thomas Danehy

Thomas W. Danehy (1929-2000) served as Cambridge mayor in 1978 and 1979, and on Cambridge City Council between 1965 and 1989.[1]

Thomas W. Danehy
Mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts
In office
1978–1979
Preceded byAlfred Vellucci
Succeeded byFrancis Duehay
Personal details
Born1929
Died2000
Cambridge, Massachusetts
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPharmacist

His mother was Josephine Lynch, a special education teacher.[2][3] His father was Edward Danehy, superintendent of Cambridge schools. They were married at St. John's Church. His sister was Eugenia Foley, and his brother John Danehy, who went on to become Middlesex County Commissioner.[4] Thomas Danehy married Margaret Quinn.

A trained pharmacist, Danehy owned and operated Lynch Drugstore on Massachusetts Avenue for four decades.[1] It had previously been owned and operated by his maternal uncle John D. Lynch, who also served as a Cambridge city councilor and mayor.[5]

In 1979, the city of Cambridge advertised in the Cambridge Chronicle that the Danehys owed $38,762 in delinquent back taxes on the 2394-2400 Massachusetts Avenue property.[6][7]

As a politician, he was known as an independent, which in Cambridge meant that he was "one of the council's most conservative members."[4] Danehy opposed rent control.[1] He voted "present" on a city council vote to end the Vietnam War.[8] He opposed the expansion of the Red Line to Alewife, insisting that it would lead to an increase in crime and traffic in North Cambridge.[9][10][11] He also voted against making Cambridge a "sanctuary city" in 1985.[12]

In 1968, after a Harvard Crimson article referred to Cambridge city councilor Al Vellucci as a "pain in the ass" and "bastard-saint," Danehy protested and requested a formal apology.[13][14] Speaking of the relationship between Harvard and the city of Cambridge, Danehy said it was "like a menstrual cycle--it goes over and over again."[9]

Danehy jogged regularly at Fresh Pond.[15]

Cambridge's Danehy Park, formerly a brickyard and landfill, is named after Danehy.

Danehy passed away in 2000. His funeral was held St. John's Church on Massachusetts Avenue. A fellow former city councilor remembered him as "one of the last vestiges of the old North Cambridge."[1]

References
  1. Hurley, Mary (13 February 2000). "City Remembers Thomas Danehy". Boston Globe.
  2. "Mrs JL Danehy Dies in Cambridge at 71". Boston Globe. 2 March 1968.
  3. "Danehy-Lynch Wedding, Cambridge". Boston Daily Globe. 27 June 1925.
  4. "Danehy Takes the Gavel | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  5. Taylor, Benjamin (1 February 1978). "His power base is a drug store". Boston Globe.
  6. Wilson, David (6 April 1979). "Cambridge moves on tax". Boston Globe.
  7. Quill, Edward (2 March 1979). "Cambridge mayor is tax delinquent". Boston Globe.
  8. Ward, Robert (29 June 1971). "Cambridge council votes resolution to end war". Boston Globe.
  9. "Danehy: It's Happened Before | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  10. "Squeaky Wheel on the Red Line | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  11. "Mayor Demands Studies On Red Line Extension | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  12. Gelbspan, Ross (9 Apr 1985). "Cambridge Votes to be a Sanctuary". Boston Globe.
  13. "Cambridge Councilor Raps Crimson Article". Boston Globe. 15 October 1968.
  14. Hall, George (11 October 1968). "Al Vellucci: The Politics of Disguise". Harvard Crimson.
  15. "Jogging: A Tradition, A Passion, In Cambridge | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
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