Thomas Michael Menino (1942–2014) was a long-serving Mayor of Boston who held office from 1993 to 2014. Born in Boston's West Roxbury neighborhood to Italian immigrant parents, he grew up in a working-class family and graduated from Rindge Technical School in 1960. Before entering politics, Menino worked in the insurance industry and as an aide. He was elected to the Boston City Council in 1983 and became council president in 1993. Upon Mayor Raymond Flynn's resignation to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, Menino became acting mayor and soon won a full term in a landslide victory. He went on to serve five consecutive terms, winning re-election four times often with over 70% of the vote and without significant opposition. Nicknamed "Mumbles" for his thick Boston accent and speech style, Menino was known for his hands-on approach to governance, focusing on neighborhood improvements, public safety, economic development, and strengthening Boston's universities and hospitals. A lifelong Democrat, he played a key role in transforming Boston into a modern innovation hub while maintaining strong ties to its ethnic communities. Diagnosed with advanced sarcoma in 2013, Menino stepped down from office and authored a memoir before passing away on October 30, 2014. His legacy continues through initiatives such as the Menino Institute of Urban Innovation at Boston University.