David Mugar, force behind Boston July 4th celebration, dies

The businessman and philanthropist who transformed the Boston Pops July Fourth concert and fireworks show from a small local event into a nationally televised extravaganza has died

BOSTON -- David Mugar, the businessman and philanthropist who transformed the Boston Pops July Fourth concert and fireworks show from a small local event into a nationally televised extravaganza, has died according to his family.

He died Tuesday night, his three children said in a statement. He was 82. No cause of death was provided.

“He was a Bostonian through and through, continually finding ways to give back to the community he loved," the family said. “He was humble and generous. Quietly doing good for others and always leading with his heart. The many gifts he gave to civic and cultural organizations across the city and the state were most often given in recognition and honor of his parents, our grandparents."

Although Boston Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler had organized the city's free July Fourth concert since 1929, its popularity and crowds had dwindled by the mid-1970s.