That the City Council formally go on record in extending its deepest condolences to the family of Donald Williams for their tremendous loss.

RES 2026-01 FIRST IN COUNCIL January 26, 2026 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR SIMMONS COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI VICE MAYOR AZEEM COUNCILLOR FLAHERTY COUNCILLOR NOLAN COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER COUNCILLOR ZUSY MAYOR SIDDIQUI WHEREAS: The City Council was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of longtime Cambridge resident Donald Williams; and WHEREAS: Donald Williams, born in 1953, has spent his life closely connected to the City of Cambridge and he was educated in the Cambridge Public Schools, including Blessed Sacrament School and Cambridge High and Latin School; and WHEREAS: Donald is the devoted father of eight children and has spent decades deeply rooted in the people, streets, and stories of this city, with a particular love for Central Square, a place he has long called home; and WHEREAS: Over the course of his working life, Donald held many jobs in Cambridge, most recently at the Mass Avenue Diner, where he was known not only for serving good food, but for filling the space with warmth, humor, and kind conversation, making customers feel seen, welcome, and cared for; and WHEREAS: Donald has long been a familiar and trusted presence in Central Square, a natural connector and listener, whose engagement with neighbors reflected a genuine commitment to community and civic life; and WHEREAS: As a political activist in his own right, Donald consistently demonstrated an interest in the well-being of the city and its people, believing deeply that local voices matter and that community is built through everyday relationships; and WHEREAS: Donald Williams shall be fondly remembered for his lifelong contributions, his love for Central Square, and the joy and humanity he has brought to so many throughout the Cambridge community; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council formally go on record in extending its deepest condolences to the family of Donald Williams for their tremendous loss; and be it further RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the family of Donald Williams on behalf of the entire City Council. In City Council January 26, 2026. Adopted as amended by a yea and nay vote:- Yeas 9; Nays 0; Absent 0.- Attest:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane Interim City Clerk