Ronald C. Brinn

BRINN, Ronald C. Press Secretary to Governor King, Mayor White and Massport.

Ron passed away peacefully, on Friday, October 20, with his brother, Steve at his bedside. Ron was born in Waltham, Massachusetts in 1936, the second of three sons to Bernadette and Walter Brinn. Ron graduated from Waltham High School in 1954 and Tufts University in English in 1958.

He was commissioned Ensign in the United States Navy and served two years on board the aircraft carriers USS Randolph and USS Independence. He retired as a Captain in the United States Naval Reserve.

His career in public relations included engaging in college and university public relations at Brown University, Newton College of the Sacred Heart and Salve Regina College. He then joined the Massachusetts Port Authority and established the first public relations office at Boston Logan International Airport. During that period, Ron assumed the role of Federal Court Appointed Communications Expert, during the Boston Public Schools desegregation initiative. After leaving Logan Airport, he became Press Secretary for Massachusetts Governor, Edward King and later, Press Secretary for Boston Mayor, Kevin White. Ron joined his alma mater, Tufts University, as Director of Alumni Relations and editor-in-chief of the Tuftonia magazine. While there, Ron created Tuftonia's Day, the annual April 21 celebration of the founding of the University in 1852, formed the 1-800-THE-ALUM toll-free line, implemented the Alumni Relations website and launched the Student/Alumni Relations Committee (SARC). He also introduced Paris/Talloires Alumni College, the Tufts Convocations in Europe and Tuftonia's Feast, where alumni serve the students. Ron created such "emotional milestones" as the Class Ring Ceremony, the Commencement Eve Candlelight Alumni Welcome and the themed Homecoming and Alumni Weekends. Ron established the Ron Brinn Scholarship Fund for future alumni. Professional awards and civic activities included The Silver Anvil - Public Relation Society of America, The Super Bell - Publicity Club of Boston, Outstanding Journalist Award - Boston Press Club, George Washington Honor Medal - Freedoms Foundation, Boston Ballet, President and Board of Trustees, Travelers Aid Society of Boston, Board of Directors, USO Council of New England, Charlestown YMCA, Board of Management.

During his entire professional career and after retirement, Ron, the avid thespian, performed in 65 community theater productions. He always said that he had "wide orbits of dear friends," family, hometown, Navy, PR industry, theater, and of course, Tufts University. As he often said "some people are not off-the-rack." Ron was not off-the-rack.

Ron is survived by his younger brother, Stephen Brinn and wife, Ann; Mary Brinn, widow of his deceased older brother, Walter Brinn; four nephews, Christopher Brinn, Keenan Brinn, Matthew Brinn, Michael Brinn; three nieces, Carolyn Dunn, Monica Brinn, Laura Brinn Cruser; and fourteen great-nieces and nephews.

Visiting Hours: A Wake will be held on December 1, from 1 to 4 pm, at Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main St., WALTHAM, MA. A Funeral Mass will be held on December 2, at 10am, at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 133 School St., Waltham, MA. A Military Graveside Service will be conducted following Mass at Calvary Cemetery, 250 High St., Waltham, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Ron Brinn Memorial Scholarship, Tufts Trustees, Tufts University, P.O. Box 3306, Boston, MA 02241-3306.