Cambridge celebrated the career of longtime public servant Mayor Francis H. Duehay '55 Friday night, as the city's political bigwigs past and present gathered to pay tribute to Duehay at his retirement party at M.I.T.'s Walker Memorial.

"I thought we might never see this day...you stepping down from city government when you can still breathe and walk," joked Thomas Mikelson, minister of the First Parish Church in Harvard Square.

Born and raised in Cambridge, Duehay's career spans more than 35 years. After a stint on the School Committee from 1964 to 1972, Duehay has served on the City Council, including terms as mayor in 1980-81, 1985, and finally in 1998-99.

Laughing, Duehay told partygoers of an experience he had on the 1997 campaign trail that made him think seriously about retirement. As he visited with an elderly woman, she said she remembered meeting his "father" when he was running for office more than 30 years ago.

"How is he?" she asked. The politician she remembered, of course, was a younger Duehay.

Duehay has brought to the council an intimate knowledge of the city and has been a voice of reason in the often-contentious arena of municipal politics.

As hundreds of Cambridge politicos milled about in the festive atmosphere that included music, a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres, speakers and party attendees praised Duehay's dedication, noting that he has devoted the great majority of his career to public service in Cambridge.

"Frank Duehay has given of his life, his talent, and his energy to make this city a better place for so many years," said Paul Parravano, the first speaker of the evening.

"I think he's given a lot of his heart and soul to Cambridge," said Jonathan S. Myers, a former city councillor.

Duehay's ability to compromise was emphasized throughout the evening.

"He's worked very hard to bring people together," said Geneva P. Malenfant, vice president of the Cambridge Civic Association, the progressive Cambridge political party to which Duehay belongs.

"He submerges his ego, and that's how you get things done," Malenfant added.

Former and current Duehay staff members said that the mayor transformed their view of politics.

"He's a person who gave me faith in the democratic process as a place where we could implement progressive change," said Martin F. Brennan, Duehay's campaign manager in the 1989 election.

"I had a very dim view on politicians prior to working with him," said Kenny Emmanuel, a Duehay staffer at City Hall.

Now, however, Emmanuel has more faith in politicians. "He really does try to help a lot of people out," Emmanuel said. "Rather than just saying things, he does things."

Not all of the evening was fun and games, however.

In his speech, Duehay strongly defended embattled City Manager Robert W. Healy, whose job future is uncertain.

"Bob Healy is the best city manager that this city has ever had," Duehay said to a long round of applause.

Duehay subtly criticized Councillors Kenneth E. Reeves '72, Timothy J. Toomey Jr. and Katherine Triantafillou for voting not to extend Healy's contract earlier this year.

"I do not believe that intimidation of public officers from the City Council...is the way to get the outcome that anybody might want, or to treat people," Duehay said.

Duehay said that he hopes to remain involved in the life of his native city even after his retirement from the council.

"There's a lot more work to be done in this city," he said. "I intend, God willing, to be around and to be active for some period of time," he added.

The mood of much of the evening, however, was humorous, as friends and colleagues shared their memories of Duehay.

State Rep. Michael E. Capuano (D-Somerville) noted Duehay's tenacity.

"I have always found him to be a real pain in the neck," Capuano quipped. "We'll give you whatever you want, just to shut you up," he added.

Brennan also shared an anecdote that dated from his days on the campaign trail with Duehay in the late '80s. Brennan sent Duehay canvassing through Cambridge with a volunteer named Jane Lewis.

It turned out that Brennan had the wrong person--Lewis had never signed up for the campaign--but she and Duehay hit it off. Usually, Brennan said, Duehay would "bitch and moan" about his door-knocking excursions.

This time, however, Duehay came "bounding through the door. 'My God, he's got a crush on a volunteer!'" Brennan remembers thinking.

Today, Lewis and Duehay are married.

With the retirements of Duehay and Sheila Doyle Russell, the council is losing two councillors with a combined 42 years of council experience. Russell had her own goodbye party Wednesday night.