By Adam Swift
The town council held a moment of silence for long-time resident and advocate for the blind and disabled Gerald DiFranza at the beginning of last week’s meeting.
“Jerry was a long-time Winthrop resident and a long-time resident at the Pillar House,” said Council President Jim Letterie. “Jerry brought a lot to this community. He started the White Cane Association in Winthrop and would come to the council on a yearly basis to talk about that.”
John Morgan, who has carried on DiFranza’s tradition of appearing before the council to advocate for the importance of White Cane Day and White Cane Awareness Month, spoke about his friendship with DiFranza and DiFranza’s tireless efforts on behalf of his community.
“Jerry’s accomplishments over the last 60 years for advocacy for the blind are legendary at the State House,” said Morgan. “If you ever went to the State House and Jerry was knocking on your door and you didn’t answer it, boy, were you in trouble. It really hit me hard when I heard he died.
“Jerry accomplished so many things, there is not enough time to mention them all.”
DiFranza died at the age of 85 on April 28.
He graduated from Jamaica Plain High School and received his Associates degree from Bunker Hill Community College. Following his graduation, DiFranza worked as a dietician at Boston City Hospital in the pediatric unit.
DiFranza wrote and worked to pass the Lazy Eye Blindness Bill in 1969, requiring all children to be tested for lazy eye blindness. As a result, children in Massachusetts are tested for lazy eye blindness, preventing vision challenges and saving sight for thousands of children each year.