Thursday, 4:30 PM
In a solemn ceremony, Governor King laid to rest
(David L. Ryan/Globe Staff)
The casket of former Governor Edward King was carried down the steps
of St Ignatius Church in Chestnut Hill.
By Brian MacQuarrie, Globe Staff, Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent
Draped in the blue crest of the commonwealth flag, the casket of former Governor Edward J. King passed through two rows of saluting state troopers in a final farewell to the politician who ran for office under the slogan: "Make It in Massachusetts"
King's funeral at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church on the Boston College campus drew several hundred mourners, including Governor Mitt Romney, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, former governor Paul Cellucci, and former acting governor Jane Swift. The Reverend J. Donald Monan evoked memories of the Boston College graduate who ran for office as a conservative and beat ten-Governor Michael Dukakis in the 1978 Democratic primary.
"He was, first to last, a man of action who got things done," said Monan of King, who died last week at age 81 from injuries he sustained during a fall.
Timothy King, the former governor's son, recalled his father as a man of integrity who was guided throughout his life by his religious principles.
"We are all so very lucky to have participated in his life. ... Great things can be done while maintaining character, decency, and morality," Timothy King said in a eulogy from the altar.
Following the 80-minute service, Cellucci recalled King as a man who treated him with kindness and respect after his election in 1978, when Cellucci was a young state legislator from Hudson.
"You could always get in to see him," Cellucci said. "He took a more conservative approach and brought a lot of balance to the state.
"I think that's been a good thing for Massachusetts," Cellucci said.
Material from the Associated Press is included in this report.
