(no subject)

[curiositykt.livejournal.com]

There is a very large funeral going on at the big Funeral Parlor at Powderhouse Square. If you are driving you might want to avoid that Square if possible, the traffic is really bad.

Comments

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

I noticed that a little while ago and was thinking aboust posting here to see if Ron knew whose it was.

[gildersleeve.livejournal.com]

That would be services for former Alderman and State Rep. Joe Mackey, a well-liked and broadly respected politician who passed away on January 6.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

I don't know whose funeral it is, but the woman I work with probably went to it. She knows everyone in Somerville.

[agnosticoracle.livejournal.com]

Does anyone know how he died? He wasn't that old and was healthy enough to run for office in 2005. None of my google searches give a cause of death.

[ariwriter.livejournal.com]

Is there any other funeral home in P-Square?

[ron_newman]

Today's Globe has an obituary saying he was diagnosed with cancer in September. He was only 55. The two local weeklies also had short articles online, but they didn't mention the cause of death.

Joe Mackey

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

Unknown to most people, Joe Mackey, former Alderman, former State Rep, lived for years with Primary Scherosing Cholangitis (the illness that killed Walter Payton). One of the effects of the illness (besides destroying your liver) is that it often leads to liver cancer. He was diagnosed at such in September and passed away December 6th. He was a huge friend to Somerville's schools, athletics, and most of all the kids of Somerville whom he mentored, coached, and raised money for. His loss is a huge personal loss for those who knew him (there were many, as attested to by the traffic during the wake Wednesday and the funeral Thursday), and also a huge loss for the city of Somerville. He will be sorely missed.