Mayor John A. Markey remembered for his lasting impact on New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD — Former New Bedford Mayor and New Bedford District Court Judge John A. “Jack” Markey died Sunday at home. He was 89.

His obituary states he died peacefully, holding hands with his beloved wife of 64 years, Carol, amid his loving family.

His son, state Rep. Chris Markey, said his father was "grateful for the opportunities that were presented to him, and I think he took advantage of all the opportunities that were given to him."

His dad felt his wife, Carol, "was the greatest gift that was given to him," Markey said.

He added that his father "lived a full life and got to see his grandchildren grow into adulthood. He loved New Bedford. He loved the people."

Markey was first elected in 1971, and served six terms as New Bedford's mayor. He accepted a judgeship in the city's Third District Court after leaving office and served 17 years, retiring in 1999.

Mayor Mitchell praises Markey's leadership, legacy

Mayor Jon Mitchell ordered flags at city facilities be flown at half-staff in Markey's honor.

Mitchell said Markey took office in tumultuous times but left the city stronger and more confident and his legacy included the construction of six schools, as well as his "signature achievement," the city's Historic District.

Mitchell said Markey's legacy "is evident across New Bedford today" in a statement issued Monday in which he expressed his sorrow to learn of Markey's passing, praised his leadership, and expressed his gratitude for Markey's mentorship.

"Mayor Markey was first elected in 1971, winning a three-way race between incumbent George Rogers and former Mayor Edmund Harrington. The history of the city would show that Jack Markey was the right leader at the right time," Mitchell stated.

"Arriving in office in the wake of riots and strikes that rocked the city, and a time when America’s democratic institutions were losing credibility, Mayor Markey restored trust in municipal government and stability to the city. His tenure in office would come to define New Bedford in the 1970s, one marked by an unfailing integrity and clarity of purpose."

Markey raised the city's self image

In a 1999 interview with the Standard-Times, Markey said he recognized the task ahead when he first took office.

"It was the city's image of itself that was so bad. There was this feeling that New Bedford had been down and was just going to stay down."

Raising the city's self-image — or building a community "within the community" — was a top priority, he said.

The city promoted concerts and events with the same intensity as it sought industry and business opportunities under his administration.

"We'd have six or seven thousand people downtown on a Thursday night," he said. "That's something. It's something people grow to look forward to, and it's important," Markey said during the interview.

One of the first things he did as mayor was attend a high school football game, he said.

He said the marching band was clad in dirty uniforms and seemed to have only passing familiarity with their instruments.

"Oh my God, I was embarrassed," he said. "They were representing New Bedford."

The city poured money and attention into the program, and turned it into a national-award winner.

Promoting New Bedford as tourist destination

Markey also saw the importance of promoting New Bedford as a tourist destination, and the idea to restore and beautify the historic downtown took root in his administration.

Markey's "signature achievement was the establishment of the Historic District and the restoration of its cobblestoned streets," Mitchell said.

"In 1977, the city was allotted $13 million from the then-new Community Development Block Grant program, and despite calls to spend the windfall on various immediate needs, Markey was convinced that an investment to help bring the city’s storied past to life would pay off in the long run. No one today doubts that his decision was the right one. Thanks to Mayor Markey’s clear understanding of the city’s core interests and the courage to advance them, the Historic District is today the most photographed part of the city, and an enduring source of pride for our residents."

Proud of New Bedford

Markey wasn't timid about letting his pride for New Bedford show.

When the Boston Herald published a column describing New Bedford as "Pit City," Markey demanded a retraction and an apology. He also lambasted the columnist, who it turned out had never even visited New Bedford.

Markey also wasn't shy about making his point during a bitter contract battle with police and firefighters.

He accused the union of trying to strip the city.

While the cameras rolled, the mayor removed his pants and stood in gym trunks. Go ahead, take my pants, too, he told the city employees.

Markey's lasting legacy

Mitchell stated, "Despite the headwinds of a contracting manufacturing economy, he maintained the city’s focus on the long term, and hired a capable team of public servants to carry out the work. His tenure was replete with investments that make up much of the bulwark of the city today, nearly 50 years later: The construction of New Bedford High School and GNB Voc-Tech, four new elementary schools, a modern drinking water plant, and numerous major housing and road projects."

Mitchell added, "Mayor Markey left New Bedford a stronger, more confident city for his efforts. His accomplishments are many, but he will be remembered most by those who knew him as a thoroughly loyal, honest and humble man, committed unwaveringly to his family, his city and his faith. I will be forever grateful for his support and encouragement, especially at the beginning of my tenure. Ann and I offer our condolences and prayers to his wife Carol, his children, John, Carol Ann, Chris and Jennifer, his grandchildren, and his many friends."

Mitchell noted that in 2014 "the city officially named the plaza along what is arguably the city’s most central intersection and the gateway to the Historic District 'Jack Markey Plaza' in honor of his long and distinguished service to New Bedford."

His obituary states that following his retirement from the bench, Markey "shared stories and wisdom while drinking coffee with countless family, neighbors, and friends who enjoyed the stories and valued his counsel" in his "famous garage."

Visiting hours, funeral Mass

Markey attended Holy Name School, Holy Family High School, Stonehill College, and Howard University Law School.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, Jan. 18, from 3-7 p.m. in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, Jan. 19, at 10 a.m. in Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 121 Mount Pleasant St., New Bedford. Everyone will meet directly at church. For out-of-town family and friends, the Mass will be livestreamed at whalingcitycatholics.org (go to Live Stream, then Holy Name).

The family asks that in lieu of flowers to consider donating to the Sister Rose House, 71 Division St., New Bedford, MA 02744 or the Boys and Girls Club of New Bedford, 166 Jenney St., New Bedford, MA 02740 in his memory.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Mayor Mitchell's statement on passing on former Mayor Markey