Lucchino recalled by mourners as ‘king of kindness’
Former Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, whose tenure included three World Series championships, with the first ending an 86-year drought, was remembered at a funeral Mass Thursday morning in the Back Bay as a “king of kindness” who touched many lives with his compassion.
Lucchino, 78, died last week of congestive heart failure after a storied career in the major leagues and decades of philanthropy.
“Larry Lucchino made a significant difference for the better in our city,” said the Rev. John J. Unni, pastor of St. Cecilia Parish, reading a message from Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, who is in Rome and could not attend the funeral.
“He always gave his best for his team and the people of our communities,” the message continued. “Equally important was Larry’s dedication to helping others, to being there when people needed support and assistance, whatever their station in life. Those who knew him best know that there are innumerable examples of Larry Lucchino’s kindness to those in need.”
The roughly two-hour funeral Mass was not open to the public, but video of the service was posted online by Boston 25 News. The funeral was held two days after the Red Sox paid an emotional tribute to Lucchino at an Opening Day pregame ceremony that celebrated the 2004 World Series championship team and also honored pitcher Tim Wakefield, who died in October at the age of 57, and his wife, Stacy, 53, who died at the end of February.
Charles Steinberg, president of the WooSox and former executive vice president of the Red Sox, recalled “a relationship filled with candor, humor, and a repartee of mental ping-pong.”
Lucchino “relished hard work, long hours, and the passionate pursuit of excellence,” Steinberg said. “Larry barked positives. He wouldn’t say, ‘You’re no good; you’re terrible’ — not to teammates, at least — he would say, ‘Think! We’re better than that! We believe there’s always a way! We have high standards!’”
During Lucchino’s 14 years in Boston, beginning in 2002, the Red Sox reached the playoffs seven times and won the World Series in 2004, 2007, and 2013. Lucchino also served as president of the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres, both of whom made dramatic improvements soon after his arrival.
Lucchino’s nephew, David Lucchino, also spoke during the service, recalling his uncle as beloved and admired by his siblings and the rest of their family.
“I was born while he was attending Yale Law School, and his visits home were always met with excitement and joy,” David Lucchino said. “Charming, attentive, and thoughtful to us as kids, he always brought us gifts.”
David Lucchino also remembered his uncle as a “three-time cancer survivor” who had faced non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prostate cancer, and kidney cancer.
“Larry’s determination and drive to fight his various cancers gave others hope,” he said. “The hard-charging baseball executive and lawyer knew firsthand how fragile life is, and this empathy drove Larry to help others time and time again who were battling their own cancer. In many ways, he was the silent king of kindness for many people.”