Allston-Brighton Tab Thu Jul 19, 2007, 07:54 AM EDT
Mr. Butch was a charismatic homeless man with a cult-like following, but he was an exception to the rule. When other homeless die in Boston, they’re not always met with the same outpouring of love and generosity.
As a Bostonian who has lived in Brighton for two years when the posts began that "Mr Butch" was rumored to be injured in a scooter accident I had to look him up to see who he was. Sure enough, I recognized him from Harvard Ave in Allston (where, according to urban knowledge, he was known as "The President of Allston"). Boston has it's share of local celebrity homeless individuals ( although one, Spare Change Guy, isn't even homeless), as I'm sure does any major city, and it has been interesting to see how the blog community has reacted to his death; it has been with respect and sorrow. If only every individual experiencing homelessness could have that kind of a send off.The reality is that many of these individuals don't get a community send off like the one that Boston is giving Mr Butch this weekend. I did a little searching for cemeteries that will take individuals who died while homeless but google wasn't very much help. The Tab article notes that Boston has three cemeteries that have sections for those whose bodies are not claimed: Mount Hope, Fairview and Evergreen. But there have to be places in other communities too. If interested try contacting your local shelter, a funeral home, or cemetery and see if they can point you in the right direction.
Edit: And there's more:
Editorial: Remember Mr. Butch, Remember the Homeless
Allston/Brighton Tab Fri Jul 20, 2007, 03:27 PM EDT
Edit: The funeral was yesterday, here are photos by historgygradguy
Edit: Here's how another town remembers the homeless:
Paying Tribute to Marin's Homeless
Marin Independent Journal 7/22/07
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