John Dalis

The death of former city clerk and former alderman John Dalis this week comes very close to marking the end of an era in this city’s long history.

He was a powerful man who never abused his power. He was a sincere man who called them as he saw them. He was a good judge of character and when he gave his word – his word was his bond.

Mr. Dalis was not perfect, and he would be the first to admit this. But in a world of good guys and bad guys, he was one of the good guys.

He loved this city and he lived here for a lifetime. To him and to all his friends, Chelsea was a fabulous place, a place of enduring friendships, and of sometimes colossal challenges.

Mr. Dalis was always a gentleman in public and he wasn’t a different man in private.

He never married and so there are no sons or daughters left behind.

What is left behind is a good name and a solid reputation and the knowledge held among the thousands who remain who knew him when – that this was a good and decent man.

We mourn his passing.

May he rest in peace.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *