Barbie Loftus and Brian Nee to Receive Jimmy Kelly/ Peggy Flaherty

Shamrock Award for Community Service

South Boston Citizens’ Association President

Tom McGrath and the Executive Board has announced the Association’s 2023 recipients of the James M. “Jimmy” Kelly/Margaret “Peggy” Flaherty Shamrock Award for Community Service. The 2023 Shamrock Awards will be presented to Barbara Anne Loftus and Brian Nee for their selfless efforts in aiding those in need, and pitching in at the drop of a hat, for any benefit or worthy cause in and around the town. These awards will be presented at the 143rd Annual Evacuation Day Banquet to be held on March 17, 2023 at the South Boston Convention Center.

Barbara Anne Loftus started working at the Commissioner of Probation Office in 1979 to 1985 where she held multiple jobs and went to college at night attaining a BS in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts. She started at South Boston Court House in 1985 and became and Associate PO in 1990. In 2000 Barbie left South Boston Court House to become a PO at Boston Juvenile Court until 2010. She returned back to South Boston as a PO II up until she retired on February 3rd, 2023. Her total service to the judicial system was an impressive 43 1/2 years in the trial court. That is the longest a female probation officer has served in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This recent piece in a Globe article sort of sums up Barbie’s Community Service” she won’t stop working she’ll be keeping tabs on people she put in jail, kept out of jail, got into recovery, put into housing. She won’t stop her annual partnership with fifth graders at the Tynan Elementary School, delivering warm clothing and cheerful notes to the homeless at Mass and Cass.”

The program mentioned in Globe is a yearly program called “Cold Hands Warm Hearts” that has going on for the past 10 years. The program is in Memory of her Aunt Mary Loftus, which provides toiletries, snacks, hats, gloves and socks to the elderly and homeless. The bags are decorated by the school children in the South Boston schools with messages showing someone cares about those in need.

Barbie is most deserving of this award. She never hesitates to get involved in something she believes in, especially if it involves the quality of life in South Boston and beyond.” McGrath stated.

She has served on the Boards of South Boston Collaborative and Medicine Wheel.

Her Family is her dad, Marty,

Mom Barbara, Brother Marty sisterin-law Michele and nephew Sean.

Barbie’s hobbies are crocheting for her business “Homespun Originals of Southie”, crocheted clothing and making personalized gifts and making Turtles chocolates.

She absolutely loves the Bruins and any level of hockey. She loves to attend her nephew Sean’s Junior hockey games with the Norwich Sea Captains. And in her spare time, she was president and trip planner for the Bickering Babes Bowling team for 25 plus years.

Brian Nee was born and raised in South Boston, along with his sisters, Kelly and Kristin. They all lived on Story Street with their parents, Joseph “Dodo” and Susan. Brian attended the Gate of Heaven grammar school, and then Boston College High School. Brian was involved in a variety of local sports and community events along with his family. From the earliest age, Brian’s parents taught him, and his sisters, the importance of volunteering and giving back to the community.

Brian is currently on the Board of Directors for the Gavin Foundation, the South Boston Neighborhood House and the Joseph Nee Collaborative Center. In 2017, Brian and his family started the Joseph “Dodo” Nee Foundation, a charity formed to continue to give back to the community that his father, Dodo loved. The Foundation has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to various organizations, and those in need.

Brian has worked for the Boston Fire Department since 2001. He started with the department as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor in the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). In 2006, Brian became a Firefighter and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2013. Brian is currently assigned to Engine 18 in the Dorchester section of Boston.

Brian has continued to keep up with his various certifications as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor and Certified Employee Assistance Professional. He also received his BA from UMass Boston. Brian is also a trainer with the IAFF Peer Support Program. On the National level, Brian has assisted his peers in the aftermath of the Orlando, Florida Nightclub shootings, and for Hurricane Harvey in Houston, TX. Brian has assisted firefighters and family members with behavioral issues for over 20 years, making sure that his members and their families, get the treatment they need. Brian travels around the United States, teaching other firefighters how to recognize behavioral health issues, and how to seek, and find, treatment. Brian just celebrated his 25th year in recovery! During this time, he has worked tirelessly to help those suffering from addiction, to get well, and start a new way of life.

Brian currently resides in Dorchester with his wife of 20 years, Kerry and his two sons, Connor and Aidan. Brian has taught Connor and Aiden the value of giving back to their community, as his parents taught him, all those years ago.

For these reasons accompanied with his stellar performance engaging the community addressing its concerned, I believe he is most deserving for the Shamrock Community service award. He has a continued history of giving back to the South Boston community as his father “Dodo”did so well, and this recognition is well deserved. ” Stated McGrath

It gives me great pleasure to announce these awards,” said McGrath. “These are truly dedicated and committed individuals who have contributed so much in their own unique ways. It is fitting for the Citizens’ Association, and the South Boston community, to honor these individuals. Please join us at the banquet as we honor these great community friends”

The awards will be presented at the Association’s 143rd Annual Evacuation Day Banquet, to be held on Friday evening, March 17th , at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Cocktail Hour begins at 5:30PM with Dinner being served at 7PM.Curragh’s Fancy will provide the entertainment, along with a host of special Dignitaries.

McGrath cautioned that tickets/ tables are being purchased at a good pace, with South Boston’s most valued community leaders receiving awards. I urge those that are planning to attend to act fast. For information on tickets call Tom McGrath at 1-857-204-5825 or email at tmcgrath1963sb@gmail.com.

The 2023 Jimmy Flaherty Kick-Off Breakfast

by Rick Winterson

The SBCA (the South Boston Citizens’ Association) held its annual Jimmy Flaherty KickOff Breakfast at Seapoint on East Eighth Street. That day, Mother Nature presented South Boston with a late winter storm containing hours of snow, sleet, and rain. But no matter! A full house of more than a hundred showed up at the Breakfast, and their high spirits couldn’t be denied. City Councilor Ed Flynn, the General Chair of the 2023 Evacuation Day Committee, was delighted. Last Saturday’s late morning hours passed like lightning; the 2023 Jimmy Flaherty Kick-Off Breakfast was an immense success event.

The Breakfast began with laughter, joyful greetings, and in-person, catch-up conversations about who’s doing what. As examples, Michael Donovan spoke about his recent retirement as Civil Clerk of Court after 46 (!) years. John Allison mentioned he was reporting for basic training in the U.S. Coast Guard the next morning. Peter Welch told us he had 12 bouts arranged for the Boxing Night at his Gym on Saturday, March 18, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Tom Tinlin spoke briefly about the City of Boston Credit Union, which is moving to Perkins Square very soon. As usual at the KickOff Breakfasts, Curragh’s Fancy performed from its extensive roster of traditional Irish songs. And then Seapoint served a hearty Kick-Off Breakfast buffet.

The high points of the Breakfast were the formal Awards given to the 2023 Unsung Heroes of South Boston – Joe Arcari, Luanne O’Connor, Danny Monahan, and BPD Officer Ayesha Lawton. This part of the Kick-Off Breakfast was emceed by State Rep. David Biele.

Congressman Stephen Lynch presented the first 2023 Unsung Heroes Award to Joey Arcari, the Founder and President of Broadway Hospitality Group. In his remarks, Lynch talked about the impact on history South Boston has had, as well as emphasizing Arcari’s contributions to this community. Arcari briefly but sincerely spoke about how grateful he is to be part of this community.

State Senator Nick Collins then awarded an Unsung Hero Award to Luanne O’Connor, stating how she’s “always there” reporting on the South Boston community and actively serving as President of the City Point Neighborhood Association.

O’Connor remarked on how strongly she felt obliged to help guide her neighborhood during the many changes it has gone through in recent years.

City Council President Ed Flynn stepped up to award Danny Monahan his well-earned Unsung Hero Award, after his decades of community service in educational and community service organizations and programs. Monahan quickly and cheerfully stepped up to thank everyone for his award and was heartily applauded when he concluded his remarks.

The final Award was presented by City Councilor-atLarge Michael Flaherty. He first called for a poignant moment of silence for past SBCA leaders, such as the still-remembered Tommy Butler and Michael Bare. He then presented an Unsung Hero Award to Ayesha Lawton for her role in Community Policing as a female Boston Police Officer in the nation’s original Police Department. Lawton briefly expressed her gratitude for the Award; her son Myles was on hand to congratulate her.

SBCA President Tommy McGrath closed the Awards ceremony by announcing that future awards will be conferred upon Brian Nee and Barbara Anne Loftus during the SBCA’s 143rd Annual Evacuation Day Banquet on Friday evening, March 17, at the Convention Center. For you history buffs, at 143 years of age the SBCA is America’s “oldest continuously operating neighborhood civic organization”. And Friday, March 17, marks the 247th Annual Evacuation Day, which commemorates the first colonial victory in our War for Independence in 1776. So please remember that three years from now during the month of March in 2026, South Boston and the SBCA will be enthusiastically celebrating the 250th Birthday of our nation.

“Without Evacuation Day, there’d be no Fourth of July.”