Tom Menino, Boston’s Longest-Serving Mayor, Dies at 71

The Associated Press is reporting that long-serving former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has died. He was 71.

Spokeswoman Dot Joyce says Menino died Thursday morning in the company of his family and friends. He had been diagnosed with advanced cancer in February 2014, shortly after leaving office, the Associated Press report said.

Menino rode the support of minority communities, labor and others to election in 1993 after serving as acting mayor, ending decades of Irish domination of city politics. He was re-elected four times, making him the city's longest-serving mayor.

He was known to make verbal gaffes but used them to underscore his affable personality and to connect with constituents. He told them in his first TV ad, "I'm Tom Menino. I'm not a fancy talker, but I get things done."