I went to St. Gregory's with Joe Timilty. He was a born leader but also a bit of a hellraiser. He had that reputation on the streets of Dorchester and in Falmouth where his family had a cottage.

His political career took him from the state senate to the city council and three forays against Kevin White for mayor of Boston. He lost after bitter struggles then passed up an opportunity to represent what is now the 9th Congressional District. Washington held little appeal for someone who so loved the city.

After more than his share of political disappointments, he left politics and turned his attention to real estate development to make enough money to support his large family. His bad luck continued when a real estate deal he was involved in went sour.

The feds squeezed him over a minor, technical criminal violation but he refused to cooperate. He's a stand-up guy who would not roll over just to obtain more lenient treatment for himself. He wound up doing a few months in a federal prison where he volunteered to do latrine duty and you can bet they were the cleanest toilets in the federal system.

His indomitable spirit prompted him to write a funny book about his experiences on the inside. Even there he was recognized for his mental and physical toughness. He was not someone to trifle with.

He played sports, particularly handball, with an intensity that bordered on ferocity. He didn't like to lose at anything. How one reacts to disappointment and failure is more the measure of a man than how he reacts to triumph. It's only natural to be upbeat with success and bitter with failure.

Joe's life has had more than the usual share of each. His triumphs include a great wife, Elaine, who he dated in grammar school, and a large, wonderful family. His early political successes, however, were overshadowed by his mayoral defeats - that was the one office he truly desired.

Always the well-disciplined Marine, even at 64, he goes to the YMCA almost every day to work out. He makes Clint Eastwood look like a junk food addict. His toughness is the kind you associate with old leather - it's been around, been beaten up a little but still looks good.

He carries a few scars and some of the old wounds have apparently not yet healed. He still probably asks himself how Tom Menino became mayor and he didn't. The mayor formerly worked for Joe in the senate and at city hall. It only proves that timing and luck are the two most important components of a successful political career.

You play the hand you're dealt to the best of your ability and pray for the strength to accept the outcome with grace and humor. By today's standards, the person to whom we were taught to pray at St. Gregory's would be considered a loser. He appeared to achieve very little in his brief life.

Joe Timilty is a great son of Dorchester and an important figure in the city's history. He was in the game early and had a great run. He may not have achieved the goal he set for himself but neither have the Red Sox and they've been at it a lot longer.

While he has left the political arena, the Timilty name is still displayed proudly at the state house and Norfolk Superior Court where three family members (daughter, nephew and brother) hold elective political office.

With age should come wisdom, humility and forgiveness. As youthful vigor wanes, one gains perspective on what is important in life. Anger, bitterness and resentment are baggage that need be abandoned to lighten our load as the road ahead becomes both shorter and steeper.

Unlike most of us, Joe dared to try more than once. It is in the struggle and not in the achieving where one finds true glory. His old classmates remember Joe with respect and affection. We learned more about overcoming adversity by watching him get knocked down and each time getting back up than we would had fate been kinder.

I am proud to nominate Joe as the first member of St. Gregory's Grammar School, Class of 1952, "Hall of Fame."

(James W. Dolan is a retired Dorchester District Court judge, who now practices law at Dolan & Connly, 50 Redfield St., Dorchester, e-mail - jdolan@dolanconnly.com)