To the editor:
We are writing to express our strong support for Wayne Godfrey for the Swampscott Select Board.
Wayne has been our friend since we moved to Swampscott, and he’s always been someone you can count on, whether it’s lending a hand, offering advice, or simply showing up when it matters. He is deeply passionate about people and this community, and that comes through in everything he does.
We would like to share a personal example that captures who Wayne is as both a person and a friend. For several years, Siobhan organized Thanksgiving pie pickup and delivery for the Swampscott Cheer Boosters. The first time hundreds of Spinelli’s pies were delivered to our front porch, it was an overwhelming moment. Wayne happened to be passing by, saw the situation, and the look on Siobhan’s face, and immediately stopped. He didn’t just drive on. He parked, reassured her, told her to breathe, and jumped in to help organize the pies. He later returned with a sample of La Mer skin cream and a bottle of wine, which the Booster Volunteers shared after a successful pickup. It’s a simple story, but a telling one. Wayne saw a problem, stepped in without being asked, and followed through with both action and thoughtfulness. That is who he is.
What stands out most is that Wayne is a true listener and a natural observer. You’ll often see him out walking with his wonderful husband, David, and their beloved dog, Vo, stopping to talk with residents, hearing their concerns, and really engaging in thoughtful conversation. That ability to connect — something he’s carried through his background in community advocacy as a Town Meeting member and local involvement as both a delegate and having been active in many political campaigns — matters in a role like this. Wayne has networks that extend beyond Swampscott.
Wayne is also a fighter for what he believes in: His work early in life on Capitol Hill and with The Human Rights Campaign exemplifies this. We often tell our own children that rights which they take for granted were hard fought for by people like Wayne. He brings experience in financial management, policy work, and community engagement, along with a clear commitment to making Swampscott stronger and more responsive to residents’ needs.
Most importantly, Wayne leads with empathy, integrity, and a genuine desire to serve. From our personal knowledge, Wayne is intelligent, hilariously funny, knowledgeable in a walking encyclopedia type way, and loving, even when we disagree. For those reasons, we are proud to call Wayne a friend and support him for Select Board. We encourage our fellow Swampscott voters to get out and vote for Wayne Godfrey for Select Board on April 28th at Swampscott High School.
John and Siobhan Giantis
Swampscott
