'A Man for Others,' and others...

As a graduate of Boston College, Gene Tinory knows the Jesuit phrase "A Man for Others."

Tinory, 76, a lifelong resident of West Roxbury, almost defines the phrase. Take any aspect of his life -- his career in education, his military service, Scouting, or even his award-winning garden -- and he exemplifies both the Jesuit credo and some of the best of what West Roxbury offers the city.

The trophy room in his family home off bustling Centre Street is packed almost to the ceiling with awards and citations, but he isn't resting on his laurels.

Just in the past year, Tinory was:

Cited by the Massachusetts House of Representatives for his volunteer service playing the piano for community groups, most in Boston;

Honored by the Boy Scouts of America for his years of service to a West Roxbury troop;

Recognized by Boston Parks and Recreation last spring with a first place in the medium yard category in its 2006 beautiful garden contest.

"I like to be doing something," Tinory said.

That would qualify as an understatement.

Tinory taught social studies for 40 years and for the past 49 years has escorted a group of students from Westwood's Thurston Middle School World Organization Study Club on a trip to the United Nations in New York. For 20 of those years, the group awarded its own peace prize. Those efforts led to the Massachusetts Teachers Association awarding him its United Nations Award at its convention in Boston in 1970.

The National Education Association awarded him the Applegate-Dorros Peace and International Understanding Award in 1982 at its convention in Los Angeles.

Because of Tinory's military connections -- he graduated from BC's ROTC program, is a veteran of the Korean War, a retired major, and was on active duty or a member of the Army Reserve for 27 years -- for the last 30 years the club's annual visit to New York has included a VIP tour of the US Military Academy at West Point. The encouragement helped lead to 22 local students attending the academy. He is an honorary West Point admissions counselor.

He has a chestful of medals from the military for his service, but he's just as proud of his award from the Boy Scouts. He has been associated with Scouting for 43 years, most of them with Troop 7, based at the Holy Name Church in West Roxbury.

Ted Cormier, finance director for Boston Minuteman Council of the Boy Scouts of America, knows Tinory from his own work as a camp director at the Storer Scout Reservation in Barnstead, N.H.

"Gene exemplifies the Scout spirit," said Cormier.

He said Tinory has become famous for his annual end-of-camp song and skit presentation around the campfire, "The Rich Scoutmaster From Boston, Mass.," in which he lampoons everybody and everything in the camp.

Although retired from teaching, Tinory doesn't show many signs of slowing down.

Tinory first started playing the piano at the age of 11; when he performs for private parties, the money goes to the Lebanese War Orphans' Fund, set up in his parents' memory. He memorialized his late mother and her journey from Lebanon in the book "Journey From Ammeah," published by Amasa Books.

Tinory is the secretary of the Norfolk County Teachers Association; he has been a member for almost 50 years, 37 as an officer, and the association has named a scholarship after him.

Then there is his garden. Tinory describes it as "an oasis in the city." During the growing season, visitors are apt to leave with a bouquet of flowers; he also distributes them to local nursing homes.

Tinory's brother Rik Tinory, a music producer, is well-known on the South Shore for producing Aerosmith albums, among others. But Gene has never been much drawn to celebrity culture.

In fact, in a season when Americans tend to look back at the most outstanding events, the most outstanding personalities, the most outstanding accomplishments of the year, it's people like Gene Tinory who remind us of just how much a regular guy can do.

The self-described "average Gene" will keep portraying "The Rich Scoutmaster From Boston, Mass." as long as there is a laughing audience of Boy Scouts to hear it. Reminding us that when you are "A Man for Others," there's really no limit on the good you can do.

Rich Fahey is a Globe correspondent.