The city of Hartford and state Friday were mourning the death of former Mayor Thirman Milner, according to Mayor Arunan Arulampalam and others.
Milner was “a trailblazer whose legacy as New England’s first popularly elected Black mayor continues to inspire us,” Arulampalam said.
“His commitment to public service and civil rights transformed Hartford and paved the way for future leaders. Thirman embodied resilience and dedication, championing the needs of our community during challenging times,” Arulampalam said. “As we reflect on his contributions, let us honor his memory by continuing our work towards building a Hartford that works for all. Our thoughts are with his family and all who were touched by his remarkable life.”
In addition to being a civil rights and community activist who marched with the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Milner was a state senator. He also was a business executive, Masonic brother and lay minister.
Gove. Ned Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz also commented on Milner passing, noting he had served as the mayor of Hartford from 1981 to 1987 and was the first popularly elected Black mayor in all of New England.
“Thirman Milner will forever have a place in American history as a civil rights icon. His upbringing here in Connecticut led him to a career in activism, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the sixties and using his passion for social justice as inspiration that led him to a career in politics,” Lamont said.
“As a mayor, state representative, and state senator, he used his influence to enact positive change in Hartford, particularly focusing many of his efforts on the need to ensure that all children – no matter their family’s income level or the neighborhood where they grew up – have access to a quality education that prepares them for success,” the governor said. “His passing is a true loss, and I encourage the residents of Connecticut to reflect on the many contributions Thirman Milner has provided our state. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Bysiewicz said, “Connecticut mourns the loss of a trailblazing civil rights activist and community leader who became the first Black mayor of Hartford and in New England.
“Thirman led our capitol city with civility, integrity, and grace, leaving a legacy that is memorialized with a school, Thirman L. Milner Middle School, named in his honor. His decades of activism and advocacy paved the way for other leaders of color, and I know that his life will continue to inspire generations to come. We are sending our sympathy and prayers to his loved ones.”
Hartford City Council President Shirley Surgeon said, “Today, Hartford mourns the loss of an extraordinary leader, Mayor Thirman L. Milner. As New England’s first popularly elected Black mayor, his historic election was more than a milestone; it was a moment that defined progress, courage, and hope for countless individuals in our city and beyond.
“Mayor Milner was a champion for equity and justice, tirelessly working to uplift every corner of our community. His unwavering dedication to Hartford, whether as mayor, legislator, or mentor, has left an indelible legacy of service and transformation,” Surgeon said. “He showed us the power of perseverance and the impact of leadership grounded in compassion and commitment. Mayor Milner always said, “If I walked down the street by myself, I would be called a fool, but if I have the community marching behind me, I will be called a leader.”
“As Council President, I join the City of Hartford in reflecting on Mayor Milner’s remarkable contributions and life. We owe it to his memory to continue building a Hartford that is united, equitable, and thriving for all. My deepest condolences go out to his family, loved ones, and all who were fortunate to know and learn from him,” Surgeon said.
“Let us carry his legacy forward with the same courage and dedication he so deeply exemplifies.”
Milner was honored in 1994 for his accomplishments as he wound down his political career and continued his fight against cancer.
“We must give flowers to our people while they can still smell them,” said Dollie McLean, executive director of The Artists Collective Inc., which honored Milner. “His contributions to the African- American community have been very significant.”
Milner was honored during the annual open house of The Artists Collective, a North End-based arts and cultural organization that offers programs for young people.
Milner, then 69, and an iconic figure in Hartford’s black community by virtue of his dramatic election 22 years prior as the city’s first African American mayor, decided in 2003 he would not challenge Mayor Eddie A. Perez that November.
Without Milner in the race to siphon black Democratic votes from Perez, Hartford’s mayoral race was then likely to lose what little suspense it had.
The Republican candidate had harbored hopes of Milner and Perez dividing the Democratic vote, opening the door for a long-shot win by the GOP. The other remaining mayoral candidate at the time was a Libertarian.
Milner had earned a place on the ballot weeks before as a petitioning candidate, but never opened an active campaign against Perez, then 45, the Democratic nominee who was elected two years ago as Hartford’s first Latino mayor. Instead, Milner had been consulting friends from his three terms as mayor from 1981 to 1987, including his successor, Carrie Saxon Perry.
Milner said at the time that he was urged by many friends concerned about his health not to press ahead with his campaign against Perez. Milner was to turn 70 the next month and had then been fighting prostate cancer for 10 years.
Milner often spoke about his concern for poverty in Hartford and about education.
In a 2016 op-ed in The Courant, Milner wrote, in part, “We must equalize schools, enrollment and educational quality throughout the city, put our students back in city-owned schools and fulfill the true intent of Sheff v. O’Neill. This problem was not created by this board, but it is most certainly up to this board to correct it.”
Originally Published:
