Molori: Perry was ‘toughest guy’ across city

Since Mayor Neil Perry’s passing Sept. 21, many have expressed their thoughts on his leadership and the positive impact he made on the city and its residents.

Lifelong Methuen resident John Molori has worked for the city in various capacities over the past 22 years and is currently the Fire Department’s communications officer. He’s also a well-known sports and media writer, which includes his Sports Blitz column in MethuenLife.

Here is his eloquent Sept. 27 Facebook post, reflecting on the passing of Mayor Perry.

“I have always admired people who don’t have to get involved, but do anyway. My good friend, Methuen Mayor Neil Perry, was one of those people. Neil ran for and became Mayor for one reason: he loved Methuen and its people. He didn’t need the money, the attention, or the notoriety. He didn’t need the aggravation, stress, or social media beatings inherent in the job. While we are both essentially Methuen lifers, I barely knew Neil before he was elected Mayor. I had seen him at events here and there, but we never really connected. When he became Mayor, one of the first things he asked me is if I would come back and do a roast and song at his annual St. Patrick’s Day event. He then reeled off verbatim a joke that I had done many years earlier, one that he never forgot. It was the first time I heard that incredibly infectious laugh that Neil possessed. COVID negated the event for a time, but this past winter, after a meeting in his office, Neil asked me again if I would bring back the roast for his event in March. By this time, I had developed a true admiration for this dude with the technicolor plaid jackets and fluorescent sneakers. I saw how he tried to change things for the better in Methuen. I saw how he navigated the city through a global pandemic. I saw how he connected with people of all backgrounds and beliefs. I saw, pure and simply, how he loved Methuen, loved us. While I was still hesitant to bring back the roast, how could I say no to my good friend? I told him, ‘Neil, if you are well enough to be at your St. Patrick’s event, I’ll be there for you.’ Being the gritty and relentless dude that he was, we were both there last March. I had not done the event live in 8 years and was nervous as hell, but throughout my jokes and song, it was Neil‘s wide smile and that infectious laugh that kept me going. In short, Neil Perry got it. He laughed his butt off even though most of the jokes were about him! After I finished my roast and song, I went over to Neil‘s table, gave him a hug, and told him how much I loved and admired him. He held my arm and said, ‘I want a picture with you to remember this day.’ That picture is posted here thanks to photographer Nancy Reardon. When we lost Neil Perry this week, we lost more than a Mayor. We lost a comrade, a defender, a leader, a civic hero, and a good friend. He was, quite simply, the toughest guy I ever met in my 22 years working for the city. The average person would’ve walked away from this gig long ago, especially being as ill as he was. This was a giant of a man, and I’ll miss him terribly. And so I say farewell, good sir. May heaven bring you pain-free peace with a hearty goblet of Tullamore Dew and some fine Irish music playing in the background. Your impact is eternal, and your like truly will not pass this way again.”