Leonard Nimoy, Boston Native, Dies at 83

By Paige Austin (Patch Staff)

Legions of fans and trekkies today are mourning the passing of legendary actor Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock on “Star Trek.”

As first reported by the New York Times, “Leonard Nimoy, the sonorous, gaunt-faced actor who won a worshipful global following as Mr. Spock, the resolutely logical human-alien first officer of the Starship Enterprise in the television and movie juggernaut “Star Trek,” died on Friday morning at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. He was 83.

His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death, saying the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”

Last week, Nimoy was rushed to the hospital, but his condition was closely guarded by friends and family.

Nimoy, announced Jan. 29 on Twitter that, even though he quit smoking 30 years ago, he suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which blocks airflow and makes it hard to breathe. COPD includes two conditions -- emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Nimoy was born in Boston’s West End. His father owned a barber shop in Mattapan.

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