Michael Kineavy – Joe “Dodo” Nee Champion Award

On Friday night, Michael Kineavy, 63, will receive the 3rd Annual Joe “Dodo” Nee Champion Award at the South Boston Neighborhood House Annual Spring Gala. Like Nee, Kineavy has been a true “champion” for The Ollie.  He has been part of The Ollie’s Rodman Ride for Kids team, a member of the Neighborhood House’s Board of Directors, and has been an enthusiastic ambassador and advocate for the work the Neighborhood House does. Nee’s legacy lives on through this award and Kineavy is humbled to receive it.

“I still grapple with the void that Dodo left in his passing. To be receiving an award named after him feels somewhat surreal since I am occasionally in denial around the loss of him. His familial co-conspirators in spreading good throughout our Town – Susan, Brian, Kelly and Kristen – are as connected to the Neighborhood House as Dodo was. Dodo absolutely loved the Neighborhood House, and he loved this event specifically,” said Kineavy. “Being a part of something that was such a part of him is like proximity to the sun, where closeness brings warmth, and I’m happy to be feeling the warmth as a result of other people’s kindness, in choosing me for this. Dodo did a great many helpful things, but he always liked to make people feel good, too,” he added.

In addition to the Neighborhood House, Kineavy, along with Nee, is the co-founder of the South Boston Collaborative Center and sits on the board. He also is a board member Project Place and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

But sitting on a board is not the only way Kineavy is involved in helping others.  He is running his fourth Boston Marathon for Team MR8. “I have always been inspired by the Martin Richard Foundation’s mission to engage young people to positively impact their communities. Beyond that, Bill, Denise, Henry and Jane Richard make me want to be a better human.” Kineavy has run six Boston Marathons total and another in New York City as part of the Iron Man Triathlon. Kineavy’s energy and desire to help others is what keeps moving him forward.  He says, “I’m not sure if it’s part of the Gaelic culture or just more pronounced in South Boston, but helping out and being involved seems to be in our DNA.  It’s just what we do and who we are.”

Kineavy is a life long resident of South Boston and is the chief operating officer at the Cronin Group.

5 Questions with Michael Kineavy

Favorite place in Southie?
Castle Island

Go to Sully’s order?
Depends on the day, but it’s tough to miss with a snap dog all around, large fry, and a black and white frappe.
 
Best advice you ever got?
It is more important to understand, than to be understood.
 
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A couple of years ago I rode my bicycle from South Boston to Florida with my buddy Tom Regan to raise money for Mark Delamere. 

3 songs from your favorite play list?
I was able to narrow it down to nine: Clocks by the Buena Vista Social Club and Coldplay, Classical Gas by Mason Williams, Into the Mystic by Van Morrison, Sugar Mountain by Neil Young, Ol’ 55 by Tom Waits, Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen, Waiting on a Friend by The Rolling Stones, The End by The Beatles, and (FOR DODO) Love Potion Number 9 by The Searchers.

If you’d like to support Kineavy’s marathon run and the Martin Richard Foundation, you can visit his fundraising page here. 

If you’d like to support the South Boston Neighborhood House, you can still purchase tickets to the gala on Friday here.

In addition to theJoe “Dodo” Nee Champion Award, Mary Sheehan will be awarded with the 3rd Annual Amy K. Murray ‘Angel’ Award at the Neighborhood House Spring Gala.