Lift your Irish Wake and say Farewell

James "Whitey" Bulger

1929 - 2018

Former boss of the infamous Winter Hill Gang, part of South Boston’s Irish mafia, James “Whitey” Bulger, was killed today in a West Virginia federal prison.

Bulger was raised in the Mary Ellen McCormack Projects in South Boston, and began a life of crime at a young age, being arrested for larceny at the age of 14. Bulger was a member of a local street gang known as the Shamrocks. His early criminal exploits included arrests for forgery, assault, and armed robbery. Which resulted in Bulger spending time in juvie.

Like their Hell’s Kitchen counterparts, the Westies, the Winter Hill gang was known for its violent tendencies, particularly when Whitey took the reins in the 1970s. At his side were other prominent Winter Hill members John Martorano, Howie Winter, and Joseph McDonald. Under Bulger’s reign, the gang became skilled at whacking rivals and taking over their rackets.

Besides being a crazy SOB, Bulger will also be remembered for his relationship with childhood friend, fellow Mary Ellen McCormack project dweller, and future FBI agent, John Connolly. As Bulger’s “handler,” the two formed a bit of a partnership. In exchange for information on rival gangs, Connolly protected Bulger from FBI prosecution. Eventually Connolly was indicted and convicted on numerous violations, including second-degree murder for the 1981 murder of Roger Wheeler, World Jai Alai sporting corporation owner, and the 1982 slaying of one John B. Callahan, whose body was stuffed into the trunk of a caddie at the Miami International Airport. Getting that into the overhead bin might be a bit of a struggle, but that's neither here nor there. Prosecutors believed that Callahan was killed on the orders of Whitey Bulger after Connolly finked that the FBI was investigating Callahan's ties to the Winter Hill Gang in connection with Wheeler's death. Connolly spilled the beans and Bulger ordered the old bada bing! on Callahan.

Anyway, Connolly still sits in a jail cell and Bulger lays on a slab. His last request: Do not stand at my grave and weep.

Don’t worry. We won’t.