Mr. Montgomery

Meghan Murphy: MONTGOMERY ­— There was a strange quiet in Clinton Street Cafe Wednesday. At the Walden Bank. And Eddie's Deli.

Richie Reynolds wasn't there.

For decades, the man known as Mr. Montgomery made his rounds every day, stopping in each restaurant, bank or shop — often two, maybe three times — to see what was happening, what the weekend would bring, swap stats on his favorite topics: sports and firefighting.

Richie walked downtown so often in his 59 years, village officials dedicated a boulevard to him. Richie greeted so many newcomers, he was named village ambassador.