My first ever post on BlueMass Group. A true small D and big D democrat died this week who embodied the spirit of BlueMassGroup long before there was an internet. Charlie’s Obituary only begins to tell what a man he was – maybe others would put their thoughts here too.
I am not the authority on Charlie’s life or impact–just a person in whose life he made a difference. I met Charlie when I graduated college in 1991 and was looking to get involved in my new Allston neighborhood. Charlie chaired the Ward 21 Democratic committee with data-driven block by block precision and a passion for democratic participation and making the world a better place. He -the consumate local and connected urban insider welcomed me – the consumate Allston transient, fresh from the suburbs via college – and readily gave me a seat at the table. He was enthusiastic–even joyful–to see me recruit young people for early morning Clinton-Gore ’92 sign-holding in Brighton intersections.
Two memories stand out: First–I found Charlie in the crowd of haze and celebration at the Park Plaza Hotel the night Bill Clinton won the Presidency in 1992. Charlie gave me a memorable bear hug–I saw a hope and optimism in his face at that moment–a sense of accomplishment–but really on him it wasn’t just winning–he seemed to be deeply relieved for all the people he believed desperately needed a better chance to succeed. Charlie was still very healthy then, but his emotions seemed already to signal that he felt this win was a chance for a new generation.
The second memory came many years later when I had the privilege to introduce my former boss from the US Department of Justice, Deval Patrick, to Charlie well before the 2006 gubernatorial primary. By this time Charlie had endured sadness I can only imagine with the loss of his beloved nephew, and other health related challenges. But he was no less passionate and idealistic- if a bit more wary – when he pressed Patrick with tough questions at the ward committee that night. I didn’t ever talk to Charlie about who he voted for in that primary. I only know that watching him do his job grilling a candidate who wanted the support of the Ward 21 Democratic Committee was a thing of beauty. And I also had the distinct impression that both the candidate and Charlie were inspired by eachother that night.
As we approach another important Presidential election, I can only imagine what Charlie is thinking wherever he is now, about how much America needs people who care about making a difference.
Charlie-Thank you for supporting me, for being true to your high ideals, and for your lifetime of service to humanity. May the memories and love of this man ease the loss his family feels, and may Charlie Doyle’s life be for a blessing.
Thanks for letting me know.
Charlie was one of a kind. At the wake last Thursday, I recalled with his nephew, Rep. Kevin Honan, how I tried to swing Charlie, an unabashed progressive, from Walter Mondale to Alan Cranston in 1984. Couldn’t move Charlie though, as he thought that Mondale gave great speeches, sppeches that could move people to do great things. And he should know, having archived many such orations by Democrats over the years.
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p>Charlie was also a terrific photographer, and a number of his best photographs lined the walls of Lehman and Reen during the wake, shots of Larry Bird, Ray Flynn, the late Ray Dooley, and other notables and friends.
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p>Charlie joins some of his old friends and fellow Brightonians “up there” — Dooley, his nephew Councilor Brian Honan and his fellow Ward 21ers, tenant activist Anita Bromberg and all-around good guy Andy Davis. In a world constantly fighting for justice, they are all sorely missed.
What a beautiful post. Without having ever even met Charlie Doyle personally, he sounds like he was a keeper. Thanks for writing this, Andy.
I had a similar experience as Andy. I first met Charlie when I served as Treasurer for Dave Friedman in his race for State Representative. I was immediately struck by his passion for politics and justice and his commitment to bringing new people into the process. He was constantly pushing all of us on the Ward 21 Committee to reach out to new people in the neighborhood. He welcomed me and so many others to the committee and then shared endless stories of his fascinating life.
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p>I was also struck in recent years how Charlie embraced the internet and its power. He would show-up at every meeting with stacks of articles that he found online which would then serve as the source of endless discussions for like-minded people (anyone who has ever attended a Ward 21 meeting knows that we like to talk!).
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p>Charlie was a true liberal and he never shied from the word or its meaning. He will be missed.
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p>Tim Schofield
The ’80’s were a wonderful time for political activism in Allston-Brighton. I met Charlie, his nephews, and many others back in the day (including my wife). We bounced from campaign to campaign (starting – for me – with the great urban populist Ray Flynn in 1983) and most of our social life was built around fundraisers for someone or other at the Elks or the Oak Square VFW. Or dinner at the Model Cafe.
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p>As a midwestern progressive new in town it was a wonderful introduction to urban grassroots politics, in all it’s gritty glory.
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p>I remember Charlie fondly. He was a wonderful man.