Story by Cam Cyr, Photo from Bill Ramsey
Thomas O’Donnell, a longtime Hingham community leader and former town moderator, celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday, marking a century of life and decades of service to his town and country.
O’Donnell served as Hingham’s town moderator for 45 years. When he retired from the position, he was the longest continuously active-serving town moderator in Massachusetts, a historic accomplishment that reflected his extraordinary commitment to the community.
A Navy veteran and attorney in the Boston community, O’Donnell dedicated much of his life to public service.
“Anyone who knows Tom knows he was an absolute town treasure,” Select Board member Bill Ramsey said at a select board meeting on Thursday.
Ramsey credited O’Donnell with establishing the respectful and open tradition that has become a hallmark of Hingham Town Meetings.
“The fact that any citizen can go up to the microphone and make any argument for or against something and do it in a respectful way, Tom O’Donnell established that,” Ramsey said. “He was an absolute genius in the way he ran town meetings.”
Select Board Chair Liz Klein also praised O’Donnell’s lasting contributions to Hingham.
“We are very grateful for his service to the town, and he continues to be a wonderful community member,” Klein said.
To recognize O’Donnell’s milestone birthday and his years of service, Ramsey and current Town Moderator Michael Puzo visited O’Donnell’s home yesterday afternoon to present him with a certificate of congratulations from the town.
