Former treasurer honored with park

Crane's ceremony draws dignitaries

Former state treasurer Robert Q. Crane (center), his wife, Mary, and Jack Connors Jr. (right) had lots of laughs at the dedication. (Suzanne Kreiter/ Globe Staff)

A who's who of local and state politicians turned out at Boston College yesterday morning to dedicate a small campus park to former state treasurer Robert Q. Crane, who served in that position for 27 years and is credited with bringing the lottery to the Commonwealth.

Laughter abounded inside the white tent erected on a parking lot behind St. Ignatius Church on Commonwealth Avenue, as approximately 300 of Crane's friends and political allies listened to a dozen or so speakers deliver one-liners or humorous stories about Crane's career. Crane, 82, sat on stage throughout the dedication, often flashing his trademark wide grin.

Jack Connors Jr., a longtime friend of Crane's and the founder of a local advertising agency, served as master of ceremonies for the dedication. "There has never been a gathering of so many people who used to be something in the Commonwealth, and you all know who you are," Connors said.

Sports legends Bobby Orr and Luis Tiant showed up for the event. Tiant was chosen by Crane as a good will ambassador for the lottery. Current and former City Council members, legislators, and other state office holders attended, as did former Boston mayor Kevin White and Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

Menino said he and Crane didn't always see eye to eye on certain issues, but he jokingly compared Crane's longevity in office to his own. "I really know how important it is to maintain a long tenure in office," he said.

John Driscoll, the former chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, spoke for about 30 minutes about Crane. As with the speakers before him, Driscoll injected humor throughout his speech.

"Bob, when I first met you, I was sure you were somebody," Driscoll said. "I wasn't sure who you were, but I knew you were somebody." He said he often walked to class with Crane, and the two would cross the patch of grass that yesterday became Robert Q. Crane Park.

Crane told the audience: "There is no way you can prepare yourself for this. I'm at a loss for words."

He graduated from English High School and enrolled at Boston College, but joined the Marines before his sophomore year and served in combat in World War II. He returned to Boston and finished his degree at Boston College. Crane won a spot in the Massachusetts Legislature and was selected to be the Democratic Party chairman. He was elected treasurer in 1964 and in 1971 became the founding chairman of the Massachusetts State Lottery. Crane served as treasurer until 1991. He had been dogged late in his career by accusations that he engaged in patronage and nepotism. Crane denied those accusations.

The park that now bears his name is off Commonwealth Avenue, between Lower Campus Road and St. Thomas Road.