Former Boston city councilor Dapper O'Neil's casket was carried out of St. Theresa of Avila Church in West Roxbury yesterday.
(DAVID KAMERMAN/GLOBE STAFF)
Albert L. "Dapper" O'Neil's funeral took place yesterday just the way he lived most of his 87 years: on his own terms.
As O'Neil had instructed, the Boston police pipe and drum band escorted his casket yesterday into St. Theresa of Avila Church in West Roxbury. A lone baritone belted out "America the Beautiful." Bay State politicians paid tribute to his 28 years of fiercely independent, sometimes confrontational, service on the Boston City Council.
He lay in state yesterday with a rosary in his hand, an American flag draped by his side, and a "Dapper" button clipped to his lapel. Afterward, friends and family gathered at the local Elks lodge eating clam chowder and sandwiches, sharing memories, and listening to a recording of O'Neil singing Irish ditties, odes to characters like "Nelly Kelly the Irish belly dancer" and "Spaghetti Iris."
"That's just the way he would have wanted it," said his niece, Ellie O'Neill.
About 300 people showed up to honor the legendary Boston politician known for his stubborn dedication to the smallest needs of his constituents, even as his abrasive statements about minorities, women, gays, and lesbians sparked controversy. O'Neil died in his sleep last Wednesday night at a West Roxbury nursing home.
"Dap did everything he wanted to do, and he did it his way," his nephew Peter O'Neill said during the service. "We know that Dap could be difficult at times. Once you got through that gruffness, he usually would do the right things."
Dozens of current and former politicians attended the Mass, including many former city councilors who served with O'Neil. There was District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, Maura A. Hennigan, Diane J. Modica, John A. Nucci, Paul Scapicchio, Lawrence S. DiCara, Mickey Roache, and Peggy Davis-Mullen. Current councilors Stephen J. Murphy, Maureen E. Feeney, Michael P. Ross, John Tobin, and Rob Consalvo also attended.
"There's a lot of politicians here who could be doing something else on Christmas Eve," said Robert E. Travaglini, who served with O'Neil on the council and went on to become state Senate president before entering the private sector. "They understand. It's the final count. It's the end. There's no more like him."
Modeling himself on James Michael Curley, the legendary Boston mayor, O'Neil was one of the few remaining links to a time when Irish Catholic men dominated Boston's political landscape. A stalwart conservative, he fought the desegration of Boston public schools, he opposed allowing gays and lesbians to march in South Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade, and he often made disparaging remarks about women.
But he was also a hero to many. A World War II Veteran, O'Neil spent most of his life in public service. He served on the Boston Licensing Board for eight years before joining the City Council in 1971.
As William M. Bulger, former state Senate president, said during yesterday's service, O'Neil focused daily on helping those in need. Bulger said O'Neil's "public utterances and entertaining style" became "so noteworthy they overshadow his deeds."
"He gave personal help each day of his life," Bulger said.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino called O'Neil a "man of conviction" who loved his job and gave it everything he had.
"He believed what he said and said what he believed," said Menino, who also served with O'Neil on the council.
Before the Mass, O'Neil, a hall of fame member of the Ring Four Veteran Boxers' Association, got his final count. Literally. A bell clanged 10 times as a veteran boxer stood in front of the casket and counted aloud.
"That's it," said Mickey Finn, president of the Ring Four Veteran Boxers' Association. "The fight is over."
Donovan Slack can be reached at dslack@globe.com.
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.
