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Political candidate, landlord, motorcycle rider Kevin McCrea dead at 52
By adamg on Mon, 07/29/2019 - 12:07am
The Globe reports that Kevin McCrea, a South End resident who ran for mayor in 2009 and as a clown named Pat Payaso for an at-large City Council seat in 2017, has died of a heart attack.
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Comments
Condolences to his family.
I was initially very skeptical of his political antics, but grew to appreciate McCrea’s directness, and refusal to mince words when addressing civic issues. He served the residents of Boston in so many ways by saying the impolitic but truthful things that are wrong with our city government, including the ongoing games of the BRA (yes I know they rebranded, but they are still the same BRA). I did not know about his volunteer work, but am not surprised.
Sincere condolences to his family.
I will miss Kevin dearly. He
I will miss Kevin dearly. He was larger than life. Always such a generous person. If there is information on a funeral or memorial. Please post.
The latest from his sister
"We are still finalizing plans for Kevin McCrea but are planning on visitation from 4-8pm on Friday August 9th in Jamaica Plain (Boston), followed by services at Forrest Hills Cemetery and a celebration of life on August 10th."
Goodbye, funny man
His contributions here: https://www.universalhub.com/user/14621/track
He found happiness in recent
This is heartbreaking.
He got my vote
I can't recall a prominent UH commenter having yet passed away. Thanks for the memories.
One thing he did not do...
... was sit idly on life's sidelines.
He will be missed,
We need more like him.
To his friends and family: may his memory always be a blessing.
RIP
A true pillar of the community! We should be so lucky to have city residents as civically engaged as Mr. McCrea, whether one agreed with his views or not. He was trying at least, and passionate. This is the saddest I have ever been upon first glance at Uhub in the morning.
Pouring one out for Payaso today....
RIP
Kevin was a character to be
Kevin was a character to be sure. But also a deeply sincere person. I remember him coming to a candidate forum on transportation by bicycle: it was in part a show to walk into the room with the bike but also a sincere way for him to understand the issue and advocates he was in front of. Sums him up well in all his complexity as a person and political figure. It's especially heartbreaking to learn he had such a young child. My sincere condolences to his entire family and especially wife and son. Gone far too soon.
It's a damned shame
That's way too young. McCrea contributed in an unforgettable manner to the life of the city. I never met the fellow, but I appreciated his lively sense of humor.
He won me over with his intellect
No, I couldn't vote for a man playing a clown. However, despite my initial disdain for his MO, I grew to appreciate that he was a very smart man with a lot of sensible ideas. He will be missed. (And DAMN, 52? WTF?)
Godspeed, Kevin
Kevin was good man with a great heart. He loved Boston and helped people publicly and privately in many ways. We are better for having known him and will miss him.
A decade ago
Came to mind that I thought we had him on my old LeftAhead podcast. Sure enough, June 2009, Mr. McCrea held forth (with policy specifics) on his political ambitions. This link goes to an intro. At the bottom of the post is the audio player. Warning: the show is an hour.
What a BIG loss...
Devastated by this news.
You lived BIG.
Godspeed, old friend.
He Got My Vote
Really admired Kevin. I voted for him in 2009 and soon thereafter ended up, coincidentally, moving about 2 blocks away from him.
Really admired Kevin...what a practical guy. He had great ideas for making Boston more transparent and livable. Not only that, but what a fun-loving guy.
He will be sorely missed. I will remember him fondly for a long, long time.
My sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.
"A little song, a little
"A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.'"
An example of how he cared about the city
Back in the day, like, 2015, the city had this decaying, closed garage in Winthrop Square, which DND was simply going to hand over to the BRA, which figured it might get, oh, at the very most, $40 million for.
But McCrea and Shirley Kressel knew the city couldn't just hand over real property without a City Council hearing, basically embarrassed the council into holding one (at which Brian Golden had to be basically hit over the head before he'd even say maybe, maybe the site would net, maybe, $40 million), which led to negotiations with the net result the city could earn more than $150 million from the site's sale to Millennium Partners.
$40m vs $150m pretty much sums things up
His focus on doing what's right for the city.
Very sad news!
Kevin was a true original and a very generous man. This is just a tragic loss for his family, for Bostonians and so many others. R.I.P.
Thank you all...
..for your kind tributes to Kevin. As many of you know from my musings on UH, Kevin was a wonderful and loyal friend to me and my wife and in recent years we happily counted his wife as another of our close friends.
When I saw Kevin's calls coming into my phone I always had to decide quickly if I had an hour to discuss politics and policy. However, I'm glad that our last call a couple of weeks ago was mostly spent in a more lighthearted discussion about what the hell the Red Sox were going to do to fix their damned bullpen. (to probably nobody's surprise - the picture that popped up on my phone when he called was of Kevin in an Elvis costume singing karaoke! For further explanation of that - google his New Orleans charity group Krewe of the Rolling Elvi :-)).
He was a character through and through - but a very lovable, caring and generous character to those that knew him. He is already missed and his friends and family are rallying around his beautiful wife and young son.
RIP my friend. You inspired us all to simply be better.
Services
Thinking Big, Kevin's Motto
Kevin was a true pioneer. "Always, Think Big!" he would tell me. Kevin became a successful business man all on his own because he thought big and was extremely self-motivated. He talked the talk and walked the walk and always had a sound game plan for whatever he wanted to do.
Kevin gave me my 1st job out of college as his campaign manager for Boston City Council At Large. I also spent time with him and his brother in New Orleans helping Wabash reconstruct homes in New Orleans. We eventually became friends and even would spend nights playing poker. He was a people's person and related to everyone. Kevin has been a true inspiration for me and others. Because of his teachings, I am who I am today. I am saddened by the news but I know Kevin's memory will live on.
"We shall not see his like again."
52? Far, far too young.