According to Winters, Vellucci’s attacks on Harvard were not merely personal but also bore political utility.
“Ganging up on Harvard is like shooting a fish in a barrel,” he said, explaining that very few votes come from Harvard and that locals are often eager to bash the school.
This policy supplemented his populist approach to politics well, winning him three terms on the Cambridge School Committee and a seat on the city council from 1955 to 1989.
He was elected mayor in 1971 and served three more two-year terms in office.
Glenn S. Koocher ’71, a family friend and former school committee member under Vellucci, said Vellucci’s antics never really hurt the University.
“It was all bullshit, and everybody knew it,” Koocher said.
Harvard students were actually an asset to Vellucci, carrying his reputation with them even after they left Cambridge, Koocher said.
Vellucci is among the very few Cambridge politicians to become known outside the city.
In 1976, Vellucci gained international recognition by leading a campaign against DNA research at Harvard.
“I actually sat down and talked with Al about that campaign,” Koocher said. “And, Al didn’t even know what DNA was.”
Vellucci is described as a colorful, flamboyant and outspoken leader by his associates.
“He was one of the most engaging and entertaining members of the city council,” Winters said. “Things were just never the same when he left.” But Vellucci was never gone for long.
Even after a recent brain hemorrhage, Vellucci returned to many council meetings and was a vocal participant in city affairs until the last week of his life.
Current Cambridge Mayor Michael A. Sullivan described Vellucci as an indispensable part of politics in the city.
“At times he banged on the table and argued furiously...but behind all the issues were people...He always fought for the underdog,” Sullivan said. Vellucci’s politics, Sullivan said, live on in Cambridge.
“His key principle was that there’s nothing wrong with helping someone who needs help...Styles may have changed, but the fundamentals are still the same,” he said.
Vellucci is survived by four daughters, Joanne Castriotta, Theresa Ferranti, Mary Ann Almeida and Jurina; four sons, Pasquale, Alfred Jr., Peter and James; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.