Obituary for James E. Milano, 102

From the Gately Funeral Home: 

The Honorable James E. Milano, of Melrose, affectionately known as “Mr. Mayor”, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at the Oosterman’s Rest Home in Melrose. He was 102 years of age.

Born in Boston on October 17, 1909 to the late Representative Joseph A. Milano Sr. & Margaret (McDevitt) Milano, he moved to Melrose at an early age. He grew up on Slayton Road when there was still only a wagon trail to get there, before moving to Grove Street at the age of 5. A 1928 graduate of Melrose High School, he worked for the Boston Police Department as a Detective Superintendent from 1932 to 1940. While with the Boston Police Jim continued his education at night attending Northeastern University Law School. It took him three years to graduate and he did so as the President of his Class in 1940. 

Mr. Milano enlisted in the United States Army and trained at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. One week before he finished boot camp, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. As a member of the 180th Field Artillery, James was an enlisted man but received a promotion to the rank of Lieutenant. He went to Melbourne Australia, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, the Fiji Islands, Bougainville Island & Leyte Island (the place where MacArthur said “I will return”) for further training. While on Cebu Island word was given he would be part of the invasion of Japan (August, 1945).  This was said to be the largest invasion in world history.  After the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (August 8, 1945) Japan surrendered to the United States and the Five Star General Douglas MacArthur.

On August 14th, 1945 Jim stood on the shore of Yokohama, Japan and watched Emperor Hirohito sign the surrender on the deck of the USS Missouri. Mr. Milano re-enlisted when the Korean War started but was never called up. He spent 15 years in the Military and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, but his 5 years of active service were the best years of his life. He returned to work as a trial lawyer with the Boston & Maine Railroad from 1952 until 1972. He served as a member of the Board of Aldermen for Melrose from 1962 to 1972 until someone suggested that he run for Mayor.

Jim was elected Mayor of Melrose in 1972 and served this city for 20 years.  He was re-elected 10 times. As Mayor, he said “people worked with him, not for him”. One of Jim’s proud accomplishments was the re-building of Main St. Melrose.  When he became the mayor, there were many vacant shops, he planted trees, put in Victorian Lights and made the revitalizing of Main Street his priority.  Jim said the best teacher in his life was his father, Joseph Milano Sr., who was an Alderman of Melrose and a State Representative for Melrose and Stoneham for 20 years. Together, father and son served for 60 years of public service to the City of Melrose. The adopt-a-site next to Papa Gino’s on Main Street is named after Jim’s father.

His favorite quote was from Shakespeare’s Hamlet “This above all to thine own self be true and it must follow as the night the day thou canst be false to any man.”  He was most proud to still be called “Mr. Mayor” whenever he walked down Main Street. 

Jim was a member of St. Mary’s Church where he played the church’s organ since the age 11 and played the organ for every pastor at St. Mary’s Church since the church was built. Mayor Milano was a member of Melrose Rotary for over 30 years and a 6 year member of the Melrose Retirement Board. Jim was the loving brother of the late Mary Johnson, Joseph Jr. & Arthur Milano.  He was the caring uncle of Patricia Anderson & her husband Arthur of Melrose, Carol Riccardi of Melrose, Joseph A. Milano, III & his wife Alice of Naples, FL, Arthur Milano & his wife Sara of Pittsfield & Marilyn Zwiercan & her husband Charles of Medford.  Also survived by numerous grand nieces & nephews, great grand nieces & nephews and great great grand nieces. 

A Funeral Mass to honor and celebrate Mayor Milano’s life will be held at St. Mary’s Church, Herbert St. Melrose, on Tuesday Nov. 8th at 10AM.  Relatives, friends & colleagues are respectfully invited to attend.  Visiting hours: Monday, Nov. 7th in St. Mary’s Church Herbert St. Melrose from 2:00-8:00PM.  Interment with Military Honors at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Church Building Fund, 46 Myrtle St. Melrose, MA 02176. Arrangements by The Gately Funeral Home of Melrose. To sign Mayor Milano’s guest book, please visit www.gatelyfh.com