The Cocoanut Grove Fire occurred 80 years ago in a Boston Nightclub. It is one of the most devastating fires in Boston's history. Nearly 500 people died. They were trapped inside long before exit doors and other precautions were in place. I thought that the following very edited version of one part of that history would be interesting to others in Lincoln.
Sarah Cannon Holden In 1943 my father, Bradford Cannon, led the team of surgeons who cared for the survivors of the Cocoanut Grove fire. Fifty years later, my brother Laurie was a senior captain with United Airlines. The first officer asked Laurie where he was from. “Boston.” “Hmm,” said his first officer, “the only person I know of from Boston is a doctor named Bradford Cannon.” “Really? He’s my father.” “Well, he saved my mother’s life.” “Yes, when she was 20 years old she was burned at the Cocoanut Grove fire. Her boyfriend died. She later married my father.” He paused. “And, my middle name is Bradford – after your dad.” My father specifically remembered the man’s mother who was very badly burned. Ultimately she moved to San Diego. There was soon to be a medical meeting there. My dad and my mother, then in their 80s, bought their tickets and left for San Diego – maybe to attend the meeting but certainly to see his patient after all these years.
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