Crossing Guard Hangs Up His Stop Sign

It’s the end of the school year for and the end of an era for crossing guard Tommy Kelley. “Uncle Tommy” is hanging up his stop sign today, ending a twenty-year run as the crossing guard at Milk and Fay streets.

“This is the best job I could ever have,” said the 83-year-old. “I’ve never had a bad day. The people make this job worth it.”

When Tommy retired from Bullard Abrasives twenty years ago, a friend suggested he become a crossing guard. “Someone said it would give me something to do, and it’s been great.”

While speaking with Westborough Patch at his stop this morning, Tommy smiled and waved to dozens of people — bus drivers, students, walkers and neighbors. People wished him a happy summer, and students gave him little last-day-of-school gifts.

“You couldn’t ask for better people,” he said. “On a hot summer day, a policeman will stop and give me a water. On a cold day, people bring me hot chocolate. Everyone is so great.”

Tommy and his wife, Kaye, graduated from in 1948. Married for 60 years, they never had children. “These are all my kids,” he laughed, saying he couldn’t even guess how many he has crossed during his twenty years.

“I had a guy in a truck stop the other day. He said, ‘Do you remember me?’ Oh, he looked familiar. I knew I had him as a kid. That’s what I mean. People are just great.”

When asked what he will do with the next chapter of his life, he chuckled, “Rest, I guess. I get here about quarter to seven in the morning and stay until about eight o’clock. I’ll be back in the afternoon from two to three.”

He said he would surely find something new to do with his time, and he will always remember this job because of the people. “I’m so proud to be with the kids.”