Sen. Kenneth Donnelly Dies at 66

Sen. Kenneth Donnelly, an Arlington Democrat and longtime Lexington firefighter, died Sunday following an eight-month battle with a brain tumor, his office said. He was 66.

Donnelly represented the 4th Middlesex District, including Arlington, Woburn, Lexington, Burlington, and Billerica. He was also the Senate's assistant majority leader.

Donnelly had brain surgery last summer to remove a tumor. He won his re-election in November for his fifth term in the Senate.

Before joining the Senate in 2009, Donnelly served in the Lexington firehouse for 37 years. He was also a legislative agent and the secretary treasurer of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts.

"Senator Donnelly championed many causes during his career, from increasing access and quality to mental health services for all; to funding for workforce training for the unemployed and underemployed; to more protections for homeless families and retirees on fixed incomes; to women’s’ access to healthcare; and to the creation of a criminal justice system that was fair for all," a post on his Facebook page said Sunday night.

"Through all these diverse efforts, Senator Donnelly never sought the accumulation of personal credit; but rather he was dedicated to the causes he believed in and the people he represented, and he brought his tremendous energy, courage, and passion to changing many lives for the better."

Donnelly was born in Cambridge and moved to Arlington at an early age. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Judy; his children Ryan, Keith, and Brenna, and his five grandchildren.

Photo courtesy of Sen. Donnelly's Facebook page