The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-01-11
Vincent Scully


 We'd like to write tonight about the man who was Waterburys World War II mayor; the man who kept alive the tra- dition of the Scully family here in Wa terbury; the loyal member who saw ignominy heaped on the heads of those in whom the Democratic Party had placed the greatest trust and confidence; the Stalwart who led the party out of the doldrums and back to the pinacle of political success; the vigilant, 24-hour-a- day mayor with whom wartime Water bury had become very familiar.
 But those are the headlines with which most people are familiar. Those are the high-lights of career that you might say was only beginning Oh, yes, there were many more, many not linked to the public life of Vincent Scully, but a recitation of them would be endless. Rather let us talk about the son who be- came the man his father hoped he would be; the devoted husband, the considerate father; the ambitious, clear-eyed youth who achieved ideals, not merely dreamed about them.
 As public servant much was de- mSnded of Vincent Scully; he never shTked or baked or excused himself. His YVES a complete and unselfish devotion to the office and trust that had been con- ferred upon hinl-too much so, now we all know. Added burdens of an all-out war effort were an even more sacred trust to him. Promotion of civilian defense here in Waterbury, acceptance of the grave responsibilities that were this city's in war time had become with him almost passion, but one in which he acted not emotionally, but with patriotism and devotion for our American form of gov- ernment.
 To have known Vincent Scully as boy, young man, and public official was to know the life of any American boy in small city like Waterbury. Reserve, dignity, and maturity came early to him, just as complete pOiSe courage of his convictions, and simple eloquence were his hand-maidens in an abbreviated pub- lie career. His was the nature that found nothing unusual or strange in rubbing shoulders with the workman at the lunch-counter in the morning and gracing the most elegant banquet table in the evening. To both intimate and casual acquaintance he was at all times what they might have wanted to be them selves, an approximation of hopes and desires that can be found in the breasts of any group of men.
 Waterbury came to know Vincent Scully as it has known no mayor since his father, Martin, gave to us the kind ness, the care, the protection, and the great honesty that were his. He was very much part of the life of the entire com munity, not just one croSS-Section of 1t. The cares, the worries, the petty annoy ances, the unceasing sacrifices, the never ending demand on his time, which drew him from family and home, all these and more he accepted calmly, cheerfully as part of his oath of office. If he ever suS- picioned that the end was near in these last few hectic months of wartime We do not think that his course of action would have deviated one foot from that it actually followed.
 Waterbury'S Solicitude last week when it learned that Vincent Scully had been stricken at his home, a few brief hours after engaging in normal day of meet ingS, conferences, contacts with city de- partments, and dozens of other activities of which it was so hard to keep track was quite understandable. It was the natural
 
 mourned when we mourn; who kept watch while we slept; whose vigil was perpetual; whose guardianship was all- embracing. All the more believable now this city-wide grief.
 Much of the eulogy for Vincent Scully was given last week in those five endless days when a city prayed for his speedy recovery or happy death. Little remains to be said now that wasn't uttered on all sides and by all who knew him. Had he ever been asked for material to present himself properly Ind in full light to his fellow citizens, he would have chuckled in that familiar manner of his and rec commended tribute or praise for others. An editorial story thus comes to an end tonight. We turn down the last page, 1h. 70 gently. We continue to stare at ne typewriter keys that so many times worked smoothly, evenly to produce lines |f DraIsewOrthy comment for man we new So we'll. Stiff and unresponsive are he keys ct this moment, as if sensing sis Is the end. 10 have known Vincent euIly was to have loved him. We knew an well.