Former Lynn mayor, postmaster to be celebrated as Heritage Hero

NAHANT – For a man who does not like to focus attention on himself, Tom Costin is going to get plenty of it Thursday night.The Essex National Heritage Commission is presenting the philanthropist and former Lynn mayor and postmaster with its Heritage Hero award during an evening celebration at Salem’s Hawthorne Hotel.For Costin, the award bestowed by an honorary committee headed by his good friend, U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, is an immense honor, but he prefers to mark his life’s accomplishments by a more modest code.”All I really wanted to do is help one person and, if I did, I’d be successful,” he said.Costin’s life is a story of personal accomplishments closely paralleling pivotal moments in American history. He was in the Marines in World War II, won election to the Lynn City Council at the age of 21 and was elected the city’s mayor at the age of 29, a record he stills holds.His passion for politics grew out of his parents’ efforts to mobilize neighbors to improve Penny Brook Road. Costin was one of the young, politically bright Boston men who caught John F. Kennedy’s attention. Costin and the president became close friends and Kennedy’s death is a memory that has not dimmed in nearly half a century.”When I heard those three words, ‘Kennedy,’ ‘Dallas,’ ‘shot,’ I wept.”President Kennedy appointed Costin as Lynn’s postmaster in 1961, a position he held for more than 30 years. Long-time postal workers who know him said Costin reached out to help employees with problems, including alcohol abuse.”I’d give people six chances, then I’d tell them, ‘I’m not firing you, you’re firing yourself.'”His compassion led Costin to help found Mount Pleasant Hospital and to work with fellow postal officials and unions to treat workplace alcoholism as a disease.In the last 15 years, Costin has served as chairman of the Lynn Business Partnership’s Transportation Committee, which has been the driving force behind proposed rapid-transit expansion to Lynn. He said the nation’s renewed focus on eliminating petroleum dependence and air pollution underscores the value of extending mass transit to Lynn.A tireless volunteer, Costin has worked on behalf of the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, March of Dimes and Salvation Army.Costin was an early proponent for establishing the Essex National Heritage Area. He served as an ad hoc commissioner from 1994-97 and played a key role in getting the federal legislation passed that designated the area in 1996. Costin then served as a commissioner and as one of two vice presidents from 1997-1999. He also helped bring the Salem-based tall ship Friendship to Lynn in August 2007.A graduate of Boston College, Costin holds a Master’s degree in education from Salem State and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Massachusetts. He served as a trustee of the University of Massachusetts and a director of the Lynn Business Education Foundation.U.S. Rep. John Tierney will introduce Costin Thursday night and chances are he will quote this summary of the man:”Tom Costin has already accomplished far more than most men in public life. And he hasn’t stopped. There will be more to come in the many days that lie ahead.”That tribute was written in 1963.