Copyright The Boston Globe
Calling hours Thursday will be from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to the obituary. A funeral Mass will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton. “Setti was a tireless public servant and believed deeply in the power of government to be a force for good,” stated his obituary, which described him as a Catholic and “husband and father who loved his family more than anything in the world.” Warren served as mayor of Newton from 2010 to 2018 and became the first Black popularly elected mayor in the state when he won his initial term, the notice said. “He was most proud of the work he did behind the scenes, meeting with families and constituents and helping them through the challenging times in their lives,” the obituary said. “He transformed the landscape of Newton — building housing, schools and commercial spaces.” Warren is survived by his wife, Tassy; their children, Abigail and John; his sister, Makeda Warren Keegan, and her husband Jesse and son Alexander; his mother Elpidia Lopez, stepmother Martha Warren, and stepsiblings Keir and Lea Walker; and “many others who loved him dearly,” the obituary said. His death prompted an outpouring of sympathy from elected officials and others. US Representative Ayanna Pressley said she had just spoken with Warren and was in shock over his death. “There will be plenty of time to remember him as a proud Democrat, dedicated public servant, and convener, but for now I just want to remember the decent, kind, and good man that he was,” Pressley wrote on X. “Setti was a loving son, brother, dedicated husband, and father. He was always ready with a hug, an easy and deep laugh, and kind eyes that twinkled. “He is someone you were always happy to see coming your way,” the post continued. “He radiated light and optimism. Setti had so much life left to live, milestones to experience, hearts to touch, and lives to change. We communicated just last night. I am shocked. And I have called his phone and texted him repeatedly upon learning this devastating news as it was easier to be in denial.” Governor Maura Healey said she will miss Warren’s “smarts, energy, compassion, and most of all, his heart.” “As a veteran, mayor, and mentor, Setti Warren spent his life serving others and inspiring young leaders. Above all, he cherished his family and his role as husband and father. I had the privilege of working alongside him and he did this work for all the right reasons,” Healey wrote on X. “My thoughts are with his family and loved ones, the Harvard community, and all who knew him.” Warren worked as the deputy state director for Senator John Kerry’s Massachusetts office from 2004 to 2008, held multiple positions in the Clinton White House, and served as New England regional director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. After he was elected mayor of Newton, he ran briefly in 2011 for the US Senate and briefly challenged Republican Governor Charlie Baker in 2018 before withdrawing from the race. Before leading the Institute of Politics, Warren served as the executive director of Harvard’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. “More than anything Setti believed that you fight for what you believe in, for those who cannot fight for themselves, and that it’s important to step up,” his obituary said. “He modeled that in every area of his life and will be deeply missed.” In lieu of flowers, the notice said, mourners are encouraged to consider donating to the Newton Food Pantry or the veterans nonprofit Soldier On.
