John E. Kerrigan

John E. Kerrigan (October 1, 1908 – May 2, 1987) was an American politician, the acting mayor of Boston in 1945 after then-Mayor Maurice J. Tobin became governor of Massachusetts.

John E. Kerrigan
Kerrigan circa the 1930s
Acting Mayor of Boston
In office January 4, 1945[1] – January 7, 1946[2]
Preceded by	Maurice J. Tobin
Succeeded by	James Michael Curley
Member of the Massachusetts Senate for the Fourth Suffolk District
In office January 1939 – January 1941
Preceded by	Edward C. Carroll
Succeeded by	Leo J. Sullivan
Personal details
Born	October 1, 1908 Boston, Massachusetts
Died	May 2, 1987(1987-05-02) (aged 78) Boston, Massachusetts
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic

Biography

Kerrigan was born on October 1, 1908, and was a graduate of South Boston High School.^[3]

Early career

He began serving on the Boston City Council in 1933. He was council president in 1938, 1944, and 1945. As council president, Kerrigan was acting mayor during the Hurricane of 1938 due to Mayor Maurice J. Tobin being on a speaking tour in the West Coast.^[4] He also served one term in the Massachusetts Senate, 1939–1941.

Mayoralty

As president of the Council in 1945, Kerrigan became acting Mayor of Boston upon the inauguration of Maurice J. Tobin, who had been mayor since 1938, as governor.^[1] Initially with limited authority, Kerrigan was given full mayoral powers by the Massachusetts legislature on January 25, 1945.^[5][6] His mayoralty was defined by shortages and debt due to the postwar climate. He passed a bill that saved Boston taxpayers approximately $12 million over the next 20 years by refinancing the bonded debt from the Sumner Tunnel. He also was able to increase the city's income by leasing the Houghton & Dutton department store on Tremont Street to the federal government. He promoted many long-term construction programs to spur growth within the city.^[4] He was defeated in the November 1945 mayoral election by James Michael Curley.^[7] Kerrigan served as acting mayor in January 1946,^[8] until Curley was inaugurated.

Retirement and death

Kerrigan retired from the City Council in 1973, having served a total of 15 terms, non-consecutively. He died on May 2, 1987, of cardiac arrest at Boston City Hospital.^[3] He had never married.^[9]

See also

• 1939 Massachusetts legislature
• Timeline of Boston, 1930s–1940s

References

1. "Kerrigan Faces Busy Day as Boston's Acting Mayor". The Boston Globe. January 5, 1945. p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
2. "Congressman Takes Job as Boston Mayor". The Tampa Tribune. January 8, 1946. Retrieved March 15, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
3. "JOHN KERRIGAN, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL; AT 80". The Boston Globe. May 3, 1987. p. 99. Retrieved March 16, 2018 – via pqarchiver.com.
4. "Kerrigan, John E., 1908-1987 | ArchivesSpace Public Interface". archives.boston.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
5. Doherty, Joseph (January 26, 1945). "Kerrigan First World War II Vet to Head City Government". The Boston Globe. p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
6. "PAST MAYORS OF BOSTON". boston.gov. 8 July 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2018. served as Mayor from January 25, 1945, through the end of the year
7. "Curley Elected Mayor Of Boston 4th Time". The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 7, 1945 – via newspapers.com.
8. "Sergeant, 7 Patrolmen to Retire Tomorrow". The Boston Globe. January 6, 1946. p. D29. Retrieved March 16, 2018 – via pqarchiver.com.
9. "John E. Kerrigan Dies. Former Boston Official". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 4, 1987.

External links

• Kerrigan election records at ourcampaigns.com
• Photo of Kerrigan via Northeastern University
• John E. Kerrigan at Find a Grave

Political offices
Preceded by Maurice Tobin	Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts (acting) 1945–1946	Succeeded by James Michael Curley
Preceded by John I. Fitzgerald Thomas J. Hannon	President of the Boston City Council 1938 1944–1945	Succeeded by George A. Murray John B. Kelly
Preceded by Edward C. Carroll	Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 4th Suffolk District 1939–1941	Succeeded by Leo J. Sullivan