Tsongas’ Courage, Humor Extolled at Funeral Service

Former Sen. Paul E. Tsongas, a 1992 presidential hopeful, was eulogized Thursday before a crowd of more than 1,000 mourners for his courage, humor and political principles.

Hundreds of family members, friends and political colleagues crowded the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church and hundreds more listened to the service on loudspeakers in the cold outside or at a Roman Catholic church nearby.

Tsongas died Saturday at the age of 55 from pneumonia associated with complications from a previous battle with bone cancer.

The son of a Greek immigrant father and an American-born mother, he rose from a city councillor in this depressed mill town to represent the district in the House of Representatives and the state in the Senate.

He left the Senate after his bone cancer was diagnosed, but after beating the disease he ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1992.

Former New Hampshire Republican Sen. Warren B. Rudman, who with Tsongas led the Concord Coalition calling for a balanced federal budget, was the first of eight speakers to deliver a eulogy during the 90-minute service.

“He was one of the most decent, compassionate human beings I have ever met,” Rudman said. “I have never met a more determined or courageous man than Paul Tsongas.”

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt represented the Clinton administration and delivered a note to Tsongas’ widow, Nicola.

“He made me realize you can make a difference if you just get up and do it,” said Tsongas’ daughter, Katina. “Dad, we’ll miss you,” she added as his three daughters ended the eulogies.

Former Massachusetts. Gov. Michael S. Dukakis, who lost the 1988 presidential race to George Bush, noted the Greek heritage and hometown he shared with Tsongas.

“It was inconceivable a Greek American could be elected to the U.S. Senate” before Tsongas in 1978, Dukakis told reporters. “We were proud of our heritage, we were proud of what we achieved. . . . He was a very rare guy.”

Tsongas was buried in a private ceremony at Lowell Cemetery.