Lynn says goodbye to Rich Viger

LYNN – Lynners mourned on Friday the man known variously as “the mayor of Austin Square” and Lynn’s “Mister Santa Claus” as he was serenaded through the city one last time and buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn.Richard Viger died at his Summer Street home on Jan. 23 at the age of 52.He was a founder of Lynn’s famous Christmas Eve Parade. Viger’s lifelong friend John Walsh, owner of John’s Oil, said Viger’s energy, enthusiasm and boundless love for Lynn prompted his friend to take a cue from a Christmas parade in Saugus and propose launching one in Lynn in 1986.”He said, ?We’re going to do this in Lynn. Take one of your trucks and pull off the tank,'” Walsh recalled.The parade grew into a Christmas Eve staple, winding its way throughout Lynn past curbside crowds eager to grab candy tossed from passing vehicles. One his last day in Lynn, Viger rode much the same way.”People come from out of state to see it. To me, he really was Mister Santa Claus,” said Walsh.View photos from the processionWard 7 City Councilor Rick Ford remembered his boyhood friend as “a big, rough, hard-working guy with roofer’s hands.”Viger grew up on Willis Court, and Ford, a Florence Street resident, said Viger went out of his way throughout his life to help others without expecting them to return the favor. Ford said that on Christmas Eve Viger visited Gerry McManus, father of Dillon McManus, who was struck and killed on Boston Street last Sept. 18, and worked as a precinct captain on Ford’s election campaigns.Viger’s interest in local politics dated back more than 30 years, and he and Councilor at large Daniel Cahill were close friends. Viger worked on Cahill’s election bids and Cahill described him as “a tenacious campaigner.””He really did love Lynn. He loved everything about the city,” Cahill said.In the photo at right, pallbearers move the coffin carrying the body of Rich Viger to the fire truck that took him to his final resting place in Pine Grove Cemetery. Video of beginning of procession through city below.