Walter Boverini; represented Lynn's interests on Beacon Hill

Walter Boverini served one term as a state representative before being elected state senator in 1972. He became the majority leader in 1985. He retired in 1994 (Jim Wilson/Globe Staff/File 1991)

Walter Boverini had a lot of pride and many loves, relatives said.

He loved teaching. He loved football. He loved his work in state politics.

He took pride in the City of Lynn, where he spent his entire life.

The former state senator and state Senate majority leader died Saturday after a brief battle with brain cancer at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, his family said. He was 84.

Mr. Boverini graduated from Lynn Classical High School in 1941. He served in the Air Force as a B-17 gunner during World War II. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant and was stationed in northern England. He flew 35 combat missions over Europe and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He graduated in 1950 from Boston College, where he played football with former governor Edward J. King. He later earned a master's degree in education from Calvin Coolidge College in Boston. He also received two honorary doctorate degrees, from New England School of Law and Salem State College.

Mr. Boverini was diagnosed with brain cancer in September, and it rapidly progressed, said his daughter Maria, also of Lynn.

"Up until two weeks ago, he was still pretty active. It was really fast," she said.

After college, Mr. Boverini discovered a love of teaching, spending 14 years as an educator, football coach, and eventually vice principal of Lynn English High School, his daughter said.

Mr. Boverini served one term as a state representative before being elected state senator in 1972. He became the majority leader in 1985. He retired in 1994.

Former Senate president William Bulger said Mr. Boverini was a man of strong judgment and character.

"He thought his job was to deal with the substance of the matter, and not to be pushed in various directions by appearances," Bulger said. "Appearances aren't always accurate, and he was very mindful of that."

Bulger described Mr. Boverini as a hard-working senator who always looked out for his constituents.

"He wasn't a show horse, he was more of a workhorse," Bulger said.

Mayor Edward J. "Chip" Clancy of Lynn, who succeeded Mr. Boverini as a state senator, said that while he had a successful career as a teacher, coach, and politician, "he never got as much credit as he should have for being a very wise individual. He had a lot of wisdom, common sense, and I think that more than anything else was his trademark."

His family said he loved to work with his hands - especially in the garden or on carpentry projects around the house. He also loved opera, good food, traveling, and sports, attending Boston College football games as often as possible.

His daughter said her father's work as a teacher and coach shaped him for his career in politics. He enjoyed working with students and molding young minds.

"Everyone knows him because of his public service, but before he was in the Senate and the House, he was a teacher," Maria Boverini said, "and I think that's what actually had a lot of influence on him. Even to this day, we have all these people popping up who had him as a coach. And I think he had a lot of influence on them."

Mr. Boverini was born in Lynn, went to school there, taught and coached there, and represented the city on Beacon Hill.

"He was definitely proud of Lynn, and he did a ton for the City of Lynn," Maria Boverini said. "He really helped with the North Shore Community College and getting a branch into the city."

Mr. Boverini also was proud of the progress made on developing Lynn Shore Drive and the city's waterfront area. He served for a long time on Lynn's education committee.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Boverini leaves his wife, Christine; another daughter, Luisa Boverini-Heit of Philadelphia; a sister, Linda Hurley of Lynn; a brother, Stelio of Lynn; and a grandson.

A funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Thursday in Holy Family Church in Lynn. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Globe correspondent Matt Collette contributed to this obituary.