By Rick Winterson

     Even now - two months after he took on his new job at Massport - most of us still think of Joe Rull in his role as the Mayor's Coordinator of Neighborhood Services for South Boston. The reason for that is simple: he did an outstanding job in that position, putting in an enormous amount of his own time and energy.

     It is for his performance as the Mayor's Coordinator that he is being honored with a reception this Monday, November 21 (6 to 8 p.m.), at the Senior Center at 136 H Street.

     Despite the demanding nature of working in the Mayor's office, Joe emanates calmness and confidence. Perhaps he developed those characteristics as he was growing up. He's the youngest of six kids - Dan, Anne, Linda, Jane, Lisa, and then Joe. Their mother died when he was seven. His sisters raised him; at considerable sacrifice to himself, his brother Dan saw that Joe got through college.

     Joe started his academics at Fitchburg State. He got his first taste of public service as a government intern and liked it. His home burnt down in 1997, and when he saw the community come together to throw a Southie "time", he began to understand the role a strong community plays in everyone's quality of life. His ambition to enter public service in some capacity began to solidify and take shape. But he still had to work his way through college. This meant working anywhere he could find a paying job - dishwashing, fork lift operation, bar-backing, parking cars, self-taught painting, and so on.

     Joe completed his degree in Political Science at the UMass Boston campus in 2000. He succeeded Anthony Gilardi as Coordinator of Neighborhood Services in Mayor Menino's office in March, 2001, covering South Boston and much of the St. Margaret's neighborhood in Dorchester. There's probably no one in South Boston who hasn't run into Joe on the many occasions he was quietly seeing to the hometown's interests and issues. This is what Joe will be recognized for on Monday.

     He and his wife, Caroline Fish of Roslindale, are expecting their first child in February - gender and identity as yet unknown. She's originally from South Boston, and they met once again at Diane Zaniboni's fundraiser on April 1, 2000. They were married in September, 2004, in a beach-side ceremony on Cape Cod. Caroline works as an Assistant to the Project Manager at R.E. Walsh Construction.

      Since Joe dislikes talking about himself, some quotes from his associates are appropriate:  Bryan Van Dorpe, the Executive Director of the Neighborhood House, says, "Joe Rull was a vital link between South Boston's non-profits and the city's resources.  He was always there for us; he'll be an assett wherever he goes."  In Michael Kineavy's words, "Joe was extraordinary - he cared for people, and went 'above and beyond' for them.  No one could have done his job better.  We miss him, and he will never be far from our hearts."  Mayor Menino will speak at Joe's reception this Monday - among the words he has used to describe Joe are "exceptional", "he gave his all", and "Joe made South Boston better for its residents."

     Joe refers to his job with the Mayor as "the best experience of my life". The obstacles he encountered when he was younger have only served to make him more devoted to public service. He's also very grateful for the positive influences in his life - to the Boys & Girls Club and the Neighborhood House; to people like Dodo Nee, Mike Kineavy, Anthony Gilardi, Cathy Downey, Tom Tinlin, and his current boss, Tommy Butler; and especially to his guardian angel, Helen Allix.

      At the close of the interview, Joe grins and says, "Hey, I was raised by South Boston." Well spoken, Joe. What better ancestry could you have?
(NOTE: If you are interested in contributing to a remembrance for Joe, call Bryan Van Dorpe at the Neighborhood House: (617)268-1619.)