This year’s 15th annual Beacon Award, given by the Beacon Hill Civic Association, went to Gael Mahony, the BHCA’s first president.
Mr. Mahony for 50 years has been an inspiration to those he served with as well as a friend to the many people living on Beacon Hill.
Over the years, his sage legal advice has helped to frame important neighborhood issues and imperatives with heart and soul and a positive and balanced point of view.
His greatest achievements, friends all agreed, was his fight against what he perceived as a heavy-handed Suffolk University.
Long before the Beacon Hill neighborhood reached its Pax Americana with Suffolk, Mr. Mahony stood as a pillar against the university’s desire to build taller buildings and to expand. He did the same with the Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary’s expansion plans. His efforts caused the Infirmary to conform to zoning restrictions rather than to challenge them.
Mr. Mahony and his wife Connaught have lived on Pinkney Street for 55 years. In addition, they have been married for 59 years. By themselves, those two personal examples make this award all the more poignant and compelling.
Mr. Mahony is the real thing – a life long Bostonian, a nearly lifelong Beacon Hill resident, and someone who has always cared.
We congratulate him on this award and we wish him many more years of good health and success.