19 Facts About Alfred Vellucci

Alfred Vellucci's father died when Vellucci was in sixth grade, and he dropped out of school soon afterwards.

Alfred Vellucci initially worked as a messenger for Western Union before becoming a candy bar deliveryman.

Alfred Vellucci lived in East Cambridge for much of his life.

In 1951 Vellucci was elected to the Cambridge School Committee.

Alfred Vellucci served on the City Council for 34 years.

Alfred Vellucci was elected to his first two-year term Mayor of Cambridge in 1971, and was elected in 1976,1982, and 1988.

Alfred Vellucci often focused on providing services to his constituents and was skilled at grass roots campaigning.

Alfred Vellucci claimed credit for promoting commercial development, such as the CambridgeSide Galleria mall.

Alfred Vellucci supported increased public housing and rent control, but supported corporate tax cuts.

Alfred Vellucci was openly critical of anti-war protesters during the Vietnam War.

An Italian American, Alfred Vellucci was opposed to the idea that Leif Ericcson, rather than Christopher Columbus, discovered America.

Alfred Vellucci planted a large tree in front of the Harvard Lampoon Building, claiming that it was an eyesore and arguing that the Harvard Lampoon had insulted Italian Americans by claiming that the Irish discovered America.

Alfred Vellucci often clashed with Harvard University while serving in city leadership.

Alfred Vellucci frequently attempted to convince the school to offer voluntary payment in lieu of property taxes, which they were not required to pay.

Alfred Vellucci attempted to force Harvard to pay the salaries of Cambridge Police officers to deal with students.

Alfred Vellucci tried to convert parking around Harvard to resident parking, and on one occasion proposed a plan that would have converted Harvard Yard into a parking lot for public buses.

In 1976, Alfred Vellucci clashed with Harvard and MIT over their plans to begin genetic engineering on recombinant DNA.

Alfred Vellucci attempted to ban genetic engineering in Cambridge, where the labs for both universities were located, due to fears that scientists might accidentally create dangerous organisms.

Alfred Vellucci died in Cambridge in October 2002, at the age of 87.