Somerville Mayor Emeritus Gene Brune.

By Gene Brune

I recently learned that The Boston Strangler is being filmed once more in the surrounding Boston communities, bringing back memories of my minor, but exciting, association with the Boston Strangler.

During the 1960’s to 1979, I was working as a structural steel miscellaneous iron draftsman. I actually started out right here in Somerville in the engineering department of Groisser and Schlager Iron Works, which I am sure few Somerville residents still remember. It was located on Washington Street where Coble Hill Elderly Housing has been located since the 1980’s.

Later, when they closed their doors, I continued my career in the engineering department of E.T. Iron Works. Eventually, I became their project manager and my duties were to attend all job meetings, visit the construction sites, and I would troubleshoot for our Iron workers. A position that I held until I was sworn in as Mayor of the City of Somerville.

E. T Ryan were also fabricators of jail cells, locking devices and other steel products that may be needed from time to time, especially if a riot took place, making it necessary for me to visit our state prisons when work was to be performed by our company.

One prison that I frequent was Walpole State Prison, also known as Cedar Junction.

My Boston Strangler story took place in the early part on 1973 when I was asked by the prison officials to attend a meeting with them, as they were having some security concerns.

Whenever I was at Walpole there was always one prison guard that I would make it a point to meet up with. We both had developed a friendship and he was a fun guy to talk with. But, on the other hand, he would sometimes like to horse around with me and attempt to get the prisoners upset with me, as he would make it look like I was talking about them and I would end up getting dirty looks.

This one particular day while I was speaking with him there was a prisoner walking our way and the guard said to me, “Now listen, I’m going to let you meet this guy and I want you to give him a hard time.” I asked who is he and he said you will see, but play along with me.

The guard said to him, “Tell my friend here who you are?” The inmate looked at me and said, “Screw you, why should I tell you?”

The guard said to him, “Ok don’t tell him. Let him read your name on the back of your jacket.” He turned his back to me and his jacket read DeSalvo. Now, me being a little cocky I said, “So you’re the Boston Strangler?” He answered, “Yes, I am.” I, in turn, said to him, “Your full of crap. You didn’t kill all those girls. You just want the attention.” He said, “Well I did, I did.” I said, “I don’t believe it. You just want to sell your books.”

At that point the guard said, “Hey, give Gene here your autograph.” So now he said to me, “Do you want my autograph?” Not wanting to seem too anxious, I replied, “Well, I don’t know what I would do with it, but you might as well give it to me.” With a big grin on his face Albert DeSalvo looked straight at me and said, “Screw you, buy my book.”

At other times that I would be at the prison and I would see him he would say, “So, do you finally believe me?” I would reply the jury is still out. But I made it a point not to approach him if I wasn’t with my prison guard friend.

The three of us did have a few other conversations which I guess I was pleased to do. Not often do you have the chance to do that type of thing. I learned right away that it was oblivious he had an ego that was as big as the many murders that he committed. He actually said to us he was the most famous prisoner in Walpole and that he was a celebrity. He also said that everyone wants his autograph, and wants to interview him. That he should be charging them all.

I tried to get him to tell me something, anything about the 13 murders, but he would clam up. I believe that he was never charged with the 13 murders that started in 1962, and ended in 1967. He was given a life sentence in 1967 for all the assaults on women. I believe that later in years his DNA proved he was the killer.

Several months later, I happened to be scheduled for a meeting at the prison. When I got there, I saw every television and radio station parked in front. When I got inside, I saw my friend and I asked him what was going on. He told me that DeSalvo was stabbed and murdered last night in the prison hospital.

“Go take a look in the gift shop.” DeSalvo made jewelry and sold it in the gift shop. It was marked Jewelry by DeSalvo. Every bit of it was sold before I even got there. I did get satisfaction knowing that he got just what he deserved.

It may have been somewhat exciting to speak with DeSalvo but I need to say that at all times I just couldn’t stand looking at him and thinking about all those beautiful women that he brutally raped and murder. Having two daughters of my own I just couldn’t imagine the pain and suffering the families were going through. It wasn’t a pleasant experience meeting him. I’m glad he is gone, but sadly not forgotten.

I guess the saying does have some merit, “What goes around, comes around.” I can’t wait to see the movie.