South Boston Elderly Celebrates 25th Year

known for. Formally named The James K. Flaherty Housing Complex, it honors a devoted neighbor and official from our past. Flaherty was a Director of the BRA (now the BPDA) and according to our records, he had once been the longest serving President of South Boston Citizens’ Association. South Boston Elderly is an important division of a national firm headquartered in Florida – the Elderly Housing Development & Operations Corporation (the EHDOC).

by Rick Winterson

The South Boston

Elderly housing complex at 120 H Street has become a South Boston landmark. It is filled with local residents, many of whom still take an active part in the activities and traditions South Boston is

Last Thursday, July 13, South Boston Elderly celebrated its 25th Anniversary. And it was an occasion filled to the brim with joy and the happiness of its residents.

Judy Reilly, the Community Manager of South Boston Elderly, opened the afternoon’s program at 2 p.m. while the hamburgers and hot dogs were grilling outside. Resident and veteran James Podolske narrated the Pledge of Allegiance. Jeanne Picard and Charlotte Earner, also residents, joined their sweet voices to sing “America the Beautiful” and the National Anthem. They sang beautifully; many of the guests joined in. An Invocation was then delivered by Fr. Joe White.

Recognition was extended to residents of South Boston Elderly who have lived there for 25 years – Elinor Ryan, Elizabeth Mellen, and Shirley Bassett. At 93, Shirley Bassett is the complex’s oldest resident. Speakers included City Council President Ed Flynn, who congratulated the residents of South Boston Elderly for all they’ve done in South Boston. “Age Strong” Commissioner Emily Shea said, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for working together for so long.” Melissa Sherman, President of “LeadingAge

Massachusetts”, spoke of how really important the 25-year history of South Boston Elderly has been. Other event volunteers included Eileen Mahoney and (of course) Tom White and Joe Russo on the grille. Fr. Joe well and truly called down a final blessing on the event. Jose, South Boston Elderly’s skilled maintenance man, also sat in; City Councilor-at-Large Erin Murphy stopped by to deliver her personal congratulations.