Boston Mayor Thomas Menino Dead; Thousands Mourn

Thousands are mourning the death of former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. He was 71.

Associated Press reported that thousands of Boston residents and some known politicians, including former senator and now Secretary of State John Kerry, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and current Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, went to Faneuil Hall to pay respects to the city's "longest-serving mayor" despite unfavorable weather conditions.

Earlier this year, Menino was diagnosed with cancer but last October, the former mayor decided to stop his chemotherapy treatment saying that he wanted to spend his time with family and friends, Time magazine said.

"At just after 9:00am this morning the Honorable Thomas M. Menino passed into eternal rest after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his devoted wife Angela, loving family and friends. Mayor Menino the longest serving Mayor of the City of Boston led our city through a transformation of neighborhood resurgence and historic growth - leaving the job he loved serving the city and people he loved this past January. We ask that you respect the families privacy during this time and arrangements for services will be announced soon," a statement from Menino's spokeswoman Dot Joyce read. The statement was dated October 30.

Meanwhile, a Facebook page dedicated to the late mayor said that the funeral will be on Monday at Most Precious Blood Parish in Hyde Park. It added that the funeral will be private but a mass will be held for the public on Sunday morning at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.

Kerry described Menino as a "magnificent mayor" and "great public servant" when interviewed by the Boston Herald.

"I think the outpouring of feelings and stories, everything people are learning about him, just demonstrates how one guy can really make a difference in people's lives," Kerry was quoted as saying in the Boston Herald report.

The Secretary of State also shared that Menino has given him advice on leadership, saying "Tommy would always make you focus on what was important." He also shared that Menino has always reminded him that "it was all about the people."

He said Menino has left a political legacy of making sure that people are being taken care of and that things are better.

AP revealed that President Barack Obama was hoping to visit Menino. He even called him, Kerry told the site. He also revealed that the president "had great respect and admiration" for Menino and that he is really saddened by Menino's death. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick also commended Menino's closeness to his people.

Pierre Doriscat, one of the Boston residents who paid respects to Menino and interviewed by AP, described the former mayor as a "really nice guy," noting of the "great things" he did to the city.