Continuing a legacy of community and generosity
Mona Connolly Casper
Mona Connolly Casper honored with 2024 Thomas J. Butler Award
Mona Connolly Casper is honored and humbled by being named the 2024 recipient of the Thomas J. Butler South Boston Small Business Leadership Award given by the South Boston Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s really meaningful because of the legacy,” said the Seapoint Bar and Grill manager. “My mother was involved with the Chamber from the get-go and to have evolved down to the next generation to keep it going … it's kind of great. I'm kind of following in her footsteps.”
Mona’s mother, Mary T. “Mona” Connolly, received several awards and recognitions in her lifetime not just for being a businesswoman, but for being a generous community member.
Mona is viewed in the same way.
The ceremony for the award, which is in honor and memory of South Boston business supporter Tommy Butler, will take place at 11:15 a.m. on the Library Stage at the South Boston Street Fest Saturday, Sept. 21.
“It’s unexpected to be recognized by the neighborhood,” Mona said. “It’s funny, I always think of my parents being noticed … but you think you're not at that age yet.”
Mona and her husband, Tommy Casper, love South Boston. “We chose to raise our kids [Thomas and Macdara] here, we have a business here. My husband's a lifelong resident. I'm a lifelong resident. So it was a natural progression for us to be involved.”
Mona and the Seapoint sponsor local charities as much as they can, including the Laboure Center, Simon of Cyrene Society, and The Dodo Nee Foundation, which were important to her mom. They also support Kelly Conroy’s Adopt a Platoon Southie Style, Special Kids & Young Adults, Colin’s Joy Project, St. Bridget’s, South Boston Catholic Academy, Timothy “Doc” Cook Scholarships, youth sports, and so much more.
“I hate to say no to anybody. We try to give where we can … as the business and as a family.”
When Mona found out that Ultimate Self-Defense owner Andrea Muccini was going to lose her space, she told her, “Let’s see what we can do about that.”
Now, Andrea holds classes in the second-floor function room at the Seapoint.
That’s just how Mona and her family roll. Her philanthropic philosophy was instilled in her by her mom and her dad, Tom Connolly, a retired Boston Police Department detective who owns the Seapoint along with Coleman Mannion.
Mona, who has a Master’s in human services from UMass, a Women in Public Policy Certificate from UMass, and a bachelor’s in communications from Regis College, works full time at UMass Boston during the day and works nights and weekends at the Seapoint.
The restaurant has been around since 1979 and its longevity can be attributed to the fact that “it’s a family atmosphere,” Mona said. “A lot of people have spent their happiest and saddest times with us, in terms of celebrations, funerals … So I think we're a constant, and I think people appreciate our product.”
Customers include those who have been coming for 40 years or more to newcomers just moving into the neighborhood … and everyone in between. And friends and neighbors know if they want to find Mona or her family, they just stop by the Seapoint.
“We go to the Street Fest every year and hope family and friends continue to support all the South Boston small businesses,” she said. “It’s great!”
She is so appreciative of the award, of the Chamber, of her neighbors, for being able to raise her kids in South Boston, to have a small business here. “I’m just blown away by the generosity of those acknowledging me.
“I'm definitely one of those people that it takes a village, because I couldn't do half the stuff I was able to do with my kids or this business or my job, if I didn't have the people that surround me.”
On the day of the interview, a group of 60 people was coming into the restaurant. “We try to accommodate everybody,” Mona said. “We come from a place of yes and then figure it out later. You know what? That's true about most everything we do.”