Massport Awards Annual Butler Memorial Scholarship

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) last week announced the recipient of the annual scholarship honoring the memory of Tommy Butler, the long-time Massport Director of External Affairs and lifelong South Boston resident. The 2026 Thomas J. Butler Memorial Scholarship was awarded to South Boston resident Rocco Blasi.

"Rocco has made a tremendous impact on his community through his service," said Rich Davey, Massport CEO. "He has excelled academically and in his extracurricular activities and embodies the true spirit of Tommy Butler's legacy."

The Thomas J. Butler Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a student who resides in South Boston, graduated from high school, and has been accepted to an accredited college or university. Butler was deeply committed to his community throughout his life, serving as mayor of the South Boston Boys Club, a youth counselor and later director of Little City Hall in Charlestown, president of the South Boston Citizens Association, and a member of the South Boston Irish American Society. Before joining Massport in 1987 as Manager of Intergovernmental Relations, he built a career in public service as a licensed social worker, serving in the Boston Juvenile Court and with the City of Boston.

Rocco, a graduate of Catholic Memorial High School, will attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst to study economics. Throughout his teenage years, he demonstrated a strong commitment to his community, volunteering at Marian Manor, the Murphy Ice Rink, and the Walsh Community Center.

To be considered for the Thomas J. Butler Scholarship, students are required to have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and submit an essay of 1,000 words describing their career interests or how their community service has affected their outlook on life. In his essay, Rocco wrote, "Another realization I've had is that a lot of the things I was able to do growing up wouldn't have been possible without people volunteering in their communities. Whether it was sports, school events, or programs like Learn to Skate, there were always people behind the scenes making it happen. I never really thought about that when I was younger-I just showed up and participated. But now that I've been on the other side of it, I understand how much effort goes into creating those opportunities. It's made me more appreciative of the people who take the time to give back, and it's also made me want to continue doing the same in the future."

Applications are judged by a committee made up of Massport employees and a representative of the Butler family. Students interested in applying for the 2027 scholarship can learn more about eligibility requirements and the application process by visiting the Massport scholarship page at Massport.com.