Close knit and proud neighborhoods have always had their own resident heroes. These are people who give of themselves unselfishly to help others and make their communities a better place. It can be said with confidence that South Boston has had perhaps more than its share of such people. People who have touched the lives of family, friends and neighbors in so many positive ways that they have earned the respect and gratitude and most of all the love of their fellow citizens. This coming Saturday, September 29th at 10am, the iconic ‘Bandstand at Marine Park’ in Southie will be named for such a hero. It will be named in honor of Harry Uhlman.
Former State Senator Jack Hart, who will be the emcee at this Saturday’s dedication, had this to say about his long-time good friend. “Most people don’t fear getting older so much as they fear having lived their lives without meaning. Harry’s life has been as meaningful, in regard to dedicating it to helping others, as anyone I have ever known.” It’s a pretty good bet that Jack’s statement echoes the feelings of literally thousands of people that Harry Uhlman has helped over so many years.
Harry Uhlman is a guy who has a wealth of experience that has spanned generations. He has been involved in everything. Sports: An outstanding athlete, he was named to the South Boston Sports Hall of Fame for football and was captain of the South Boston High School Basketball team. Politics: He has run for political office and never hesitates to back a candidate he feels would make a good public servant, especially if that candidate would benefit the people of his neighborhood. Union Man: He had been heavily involved with labor unions, particularly when he worked for Edison and was the youngest delegate at the time to the AFL-CIO. His involvement with South Boston’s neighborhood civics groups is legendary. And if you’ve ever been on one of those many trips to far off places that Harry has organized, you know they were the best.
South Boston Today recently had the pleasure and honor of speaking to Harry Uhlman at length about the upcoming dedication and how he felt about having the Marine Park Bandstand, one of South Boston’s most recognized landmarks, being named for him. He was touched by the decision. That his neighbors thought so much of him to select him was heartwarming. One thing was clear, while speaking with this good man, he doesn’t do all that he does for any special recognition. He does what he does, because it’s who he is and what he loves to do. Some would describe it as a ‘calling’.
This is a man who wakes up every day with the goal of doing something good for as many people as he can. When asked what got him started on this road to being such a caring neighbor, he credited his South Boston upbringing. He said, “I learned the value of helping people, while growing up in Southie – the example of those who came before me and how they would lend a hand to anyone in need was pretty much a way of life to so many. I feel lucky to have been able to help people for so many years.” And helped he certainly has.
Harry Uhlman has helped people find employment, get into schools, enter into job training programs that lead to excellent careers and become productive members of society. His generosity knows no bounds, as he is always quick to help a local family or individual that may have fallen on hard times or suffered a tragedy in their lives and get them back on their feet. He is quick to tell anyone who asks – “I’ve had a great life in Southie and I take pleasure and get so much satisfaction giving back to the town that has always been so good to me”. He continues to this day with his activities.
One of his most cherished and proudest endeavors is of course his involvement, for more than 27 years, with the South Boston Special Kids and Young Adults program. This wonderful program, like so many others of Harry’s commitments, can truly be called a labor of love. By his efforts and working with the dedicated folks in this outstanding organization, he helped provide opportunities for some very deserving young people, who may not have had the chance to take part in all the beautiful and positive activities that they have enjoyed and continue to enjoy to this day.
Harry Uhlman will turn 86 years old this week. But he is living proof that age is just a number and if you don’t let it get in your way, well, it won’t. He continues to stay active and has no plans to stop. Why should you stop doing something you love and are just so darn good at? He is a master organizer and seems to get better at it with each passing year. His love for family, friends and neighbors has not diminished, instead it gets stronger and his dedication to being there for those in need is as strong now as it has ever been.
In Southie, when locals gather, and the conversation turns to all the good and positive reasons to be living here and of the outstanding people who over the years have made the town such a great place to have lived and to have raised a family, the name of Harry Uhlman is bound to be mentioned.
The guy is kind and caring and filled with love for his fellow human beings, be they family, friends, neighbors and even strangers. Add to that the incredible drive and energy and, yes, the passion he possesses for helping others every day, and it can be said without a doubt that South Boston is not only fortunate to have such a hero and good Samaritan living within its borders, but blessed as well.
Senator Nick Collins was the driving force in creating the legislation to name the Bandstand for Harry. And because Harry is such an impressive part of this community, Senator Collins will be joined by Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Marty Walsh, Congressman Stephen Lynch, State Representative Democratic nominee David Biele, City Councilors Mike Flaherty and Ed Flynn and former mayor and Ambassador Ray Flynn.
Many local businesses have made resources available and helped make this Saturday’s dedication possible, including New England Restoration owned by Frank LoConte, Pat Haddigan at Turner Construction, Bill Best and Ed Meagher from Best Painting, Kevin Kelley from Bostonian Excavation INC., Dan Marr and Dan Hobbin at Marr Scaffolding, PPG Painting, Dough Boy Donuts, Norman Crump and Paul Eastman at Home Light Boston.
Everyone is invited to attend the naming of the Marine Park Bandstand for Harry Uhlman this Saturday, September 29th at 10am and show their support of Harry for all he does. It can be our way of saying thank you to someone who has given so and continues to give so much to others.
