Retiring justice unfazed by criticism

BOSTON—Supreme Judicial Court Justice John Greaney retires Sunday after 19 years on the state’s highest court, unfazed by criticism of its landmark decision legalizing gay marriage.

The 69-year-old Greaney wrote a concurring opinion in the 4-3 ruling in 2003, arguing that simple decency required allowing gays to marry.

He knows many disagree with the ruling, and point to it as an example of judges making rules from the bench that are best left to lawmakers and voters.

But he said the other side of the argument is that if judges don’t act on critical issues, they’re holding back progress in society.

Greaney was appointed to the bench in 1989 by former Gov. Michael Dukakis. He was known for his distinctive dress – sometime all black in tribute to Johnny Cash, and frank, direct questions from the bench.

He’s leaving the SJC to join the faculty at Suffolk University Law School.