SWAMPSCOTT, Mass. (WHDH) -- Fenway park may have been Johnny Pesky's home away from home he called Swampscott home for more than 40 years. Neighbors said he wasn't just a baseball legend, he was a good neighbor.

“A regular guy. He never forgot who he was,” said Pat Curtis.

Pat and Clayton Curtis, neighbors of Johnny Pesky in Swampscott this is a rough day, passing of a legend and a friend.

“When my parents built up here, he said don't believe it, Johnny Pesky is moving up the street and building a house. I said my whole life, they were my heroes,” remembers Pat Curtis.

“He made her a steak one day. Went down to get the morning paper after a night game. He went about 11:30 as we were getting out of school. Oh, Johnny, come here, can we have your autograph,” recalled Clayton Curtis with a laugh.

Rob Reichert said Johnny Pesky wasn't just a neighbor, he was a friend. He was a good friend, a caring person who took time to teach his son how to play ball.

“Johnny was one of the best, classiest, nicest guys I have met. You know he is a true friend. And we are certainly going to miss him,” said Reichert.

Neighbors said it wasn't unusual for Johnny Pesky to stay up late and watch the Red Sox and cheer them on when they were out on the west coast. He was always rooting for his Red Sox, and he was a big supporter of residents on the North Shore.