TRIBUTES

Conor McGuiness

I now live in Dublin but I did live in Boston from 1994 to 2001.  One of the best memories I have is when I met the Senator back in '94 when I was working nights at the Boston Law Office of Mintz Levin, to put myself through Suffolk University.  Frank Bellotti at Mintz was hosting an evening for the Senator and his super wife, Vicki.  It was Frank who introduced me to him -  I could not believe it, as growing up in Dublin in the 1970s and '80s the Kennedys were idolized, and deservedly so.

So there I was standing with my tools and ladder (I did night maintenance at the firm) among some very important lawyers and business folk.  What sticks out the most in my memory is the fact that he took the time to stop talking to these high flyers and actually had genuine interest in what this 20 year-old kid who worked nights had to say.  The best part of this was yet to come when he decided it was time to call my Mother at home in Dublin on the telephone, most likely the biggest Kennedy admirer in Ireland.  This story has become legend in our family since then, especially the reaction of my Mum.  When I put Sen. Kennedy on the phone to my Mum she thought it was me kidding around, as usual, but when she realized it was him she nearly fell out of the bed pulling my Father with her.  Vicki got on the phone to my Mum too which was so amazing of her.  Such nice people and what a superb memory of the great man who gave me the confidence to go out there and give life a good go.

Please accept my whole family's condolences.