East Boston lost another selfless individual from the “Golden Age” of activism. Ginny St. Cyr, who contributed many hours of time and energy to projects like community newspaper publishing and civic activities, passed away.
East Boston Community News alumni recently learned of the passing.
Ginny was born in Maine and retired there after she left East Boston. According to Bob Nakashian, one of the EBCN founders, Ginny worked on the paper from January 1975 until the last issue in 1989 leaving her imprint in 210 issues of the newspaper. Before the age of word processors, Ginny mastered the typewriter — displaying speed and accuracy making the weekend typesetting and proofreading exercises less painful. As a columnist, she fought on behalf of her neighborhood, Eagle Hill, and recognized the work of others, including the rich history associated with the Trinity Neighborhood House where she once served as a mentor. “Ginny gave me my first job at the Heights Projects and was my first boss,” recalls Steve Tassinari. “It was a pleasure knowing her and working for her. She also taught me that the world wasn’t made up of Italian-American Catholic families.”
Ginny also worked at the renown East Boston Little City Hall and was a member of the East Boston Drug Action Council. Cheerful, full of grace and wisdom, Ginny will be missed.
Rest in Peace.
You can look up Ginny’s work at the digitized archive of the East Boston Community News here.
