Thursday, 4:30 PM
Southie residents recall Kelly as a 'nice guy' who fought 'forced' busing
By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff
The South Boston neighborhood where James M. Kelly lived was quiet today, but as residents in City Point went about their everyday chores ,they stopped to talk about the former seven-term City Council President who died early this morning.
"He was a very nice guy," said Nancy Kunian, walking on N Street this morning and speaking in the accent of her native Armenia. "Anybody who tried to get help, he would try to help."
JP Hynes, 54, had known Kelly most of his life. He recalled the strong stand Kelly took on what he described as the "forced integration" of the city's school system in the 1970s. In more recent years, Kelly had been an advocate for long-time "Southie" residents as the neighborhood became one of the city's more expensive areas. Referring to the influx of young professionals into the neighborhood, Hynes said that Southie is unlikely to ever again see a politician with Kelly's grit and devotion to his hometown.
"He fought the good fight and unfortunately there will not be another Jimmy Kelly in this neighborhood because the neighborhood is not what it was once," said Hynes, who was out walking his dog "Patches."
Horace and Antonina Cotugno had been Kelly's neighbors for years. "He saw that everything was straight for Southie," said Horace. "He was a good guy."
"God bless his soul," said Antonina Cotugno.
Michael Graney moved to south Boston from the south shore when he retired about five years ago. He has met Kelly at community events since then.
"He's not afraid to voice his point of view even though it might not be popular with some outsiders," said Graney. "He was very sincere in his representation."
