Tribute from Mark Ciommo

By Mark Ciommo, Boston City Councilor

My connection to Brian and the Honan family began when I first started attending the St. Columbkille Chieftain’s basketball games. I became a friend and fan of Kevin Honan, who had a prolific set shot from the outer perimeter. (Many of which would have been 3 pointers today.) Just a few years later, Kevin’s younger brother Brian would score a 1000 points for Saint Columbkille High school, a record that still stands today.

Our lives intersected again after I returned from living in Los Angeles. Kevin had been elected State Representative, and he and I ran into each other often. When Brian ultimately decided to run for the Boston City Council, I was all in! He won the District 9 seat representing Allston-Brighton.

At this point, Brian and I interacted regularly because of my own involvement in the civic life of Allston-Brighton. Working with Brian was easy and fun. He was compassionate, effective and affable. His work ethic and attitude toward his work on the Council has shaped my approach to advancing an agenda and helping constituents in Allston-Brighton. He and his staff were always responsive and helpful and I owe much of my own success to having the privilege of working with Brian and Kevin.

Brian’s legacy remains intact at City Hall where many people still reminisce about Brian’s talent and charisma. Brian’s life and determination to improve our neighborhood demonstrates all that is good about our community. The premature loss of Brian robbed us of a great leader, man, and friend.