The true privilege of being Mayor is that I have the opportunity to be everyone's neighbor.

The tumor had not spread and the mayor was able to return to work in a matter of days. He resides in Hyde Park with his wife Angela Faletra and children Thomas Jr. In 2004 the mayor's doctors confirmed he has been diagnosed with Crohn's disease helping to explain his recurring intestinal problems.

He worked to bring the Democratic National Convention to Boston in 2004. He is the city's first Italian-American mayor as well as the city's longest-serving mayor. A native of Boston Menino served on the city council for several years before becoming mayor.