~ Malden Musings ~ Malden 1967, Part 2

By Peter Levine

Back by popular demand! “Malden Musings” Redux! In two parts my take on Malden in 1967. Malden in 1966 was designated as an “All-America City.” All American banners were flying high across our main streets and Malden had the swagger of a city on the rise; the future looked bright going into 1967, and in honor of the 57th anniversary of the Summer of Love here is a snapshot of Malden as we appeared in that lazy, hazy, crazy yesteryear – Malden 1967 Part 2:

• On July 10, Ruffino “Ruffy” Mugica playing for the Malden Legion struck out nine batters, pitched a three hitter and had two of the Legion’s three hits – beating Everett 3-1. Ruffino was chosen to the prestigious Hearst Sandlot team the week before. Ruffy has called Vegas home for years, produced shows at various casinos and was spotted as recently as earlier this year in Malden at Bob Rotondi’s 85th birthday celebration at the Moose.
• The Malden Evening News on their editorial page notes that the basketball courts at Devir, Amerige and Newman parks are always in use. The MEN opine that basketball reigns as the most popular summer sport before even baseball.
• They also note that Park Dept. Foreman Angelo Nardone has explained that the reason the city’s parks look so shabby is because the city has only 10 power lawn mowers but that nine of the 10 are inoperable. Lillian’s dad (Angelo) was a colorful character and from what I remember was always blunt, to the point and had a great sense of humor.
• “It is said in Malden”…(July 7) that Barney Kahn has returned from a vacation trip to Mount Washington, N.H.
• “It is said in Malden”…that Councilor James Conway has invited his Council colleagues to the annual dance to be run by his “Conway Associates” at the Revlon Room in Linden (home to Walgreens, I believe, and formerly owned by the DeVincentis family).
• “It is said in Malden”…that the Royal Crownsmen of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, will march in the annual Edgeworth 4th of July Parade (this particular 4th of July Parade missed its organizer and benefactor Ward 2 Councilor Billy Callahan due to the passing of his mother).
• In June during the Malden Recreational Jr. Division Spring Hoop competition the Bears beat the Panthers 28-22 behind John Finn’s 10 points. Jimmy “The Fabulous Judy’s Husband” Cahill had eight points for the losers.
• In Central Little League action at Roosevelt Park, Tommy Hoffman fired a no-hitter and batted his team, the Tigers, to an 8-1 win over the Browns. Tommy (rest in peace) was also an exceptional hoopster.
• In American League action at Trafton Park, Jerry Robbins fired a one-hitter and struck out 12 batters as his Yankees beat back the Red Sox 13-0. Jerry had no walks and at one point struck out seven straight. In the past four games, he has whiffed 40 batters. The Yanks were led by Billy Doyle and Kenny Barchard, who would later go on to play with Jerry in the Babe Ruth League for the Stars under Manager Bob Rosano and coaches Don Garren and Jim French. Jerry put up one of the finest BRL seasons ever as a 14-year-old for the Stars with an 8-1 record (if memory serves me correctly).
• As of May 19, King Neptune on Highland Ave. is under new management. King Neptune, The Rosebud, The Highland Cafe, Gennetti’s Spa, Charlie Moreno’s Sub Shop, Mike’s Cafe, DiPietro’s Pizzeria, Harvard Pastry and The Big A make Highland Ave. the destination in Malden for the best food in town.
• The West Side AA Spring Festival to benefit Malden Catholic Sports will be held May 19 at Brother Gilbert’s Stadium and will conclude with a “Spectacular Display of Fireworks.”
• Brigham’s in Malden Square is hiring fountain waitresses, department heads and dishwashers. Brigham’s was a popular gathering spot for many young people and a vital generational link from one MHS class to the next.
• Mr. A’s Lounge in Revere is hiring cocktail waitresses.
• Mr. John “Commander” Carroll is the Rifle Team coach and Meteorology teacher at MHS. As self-effacing and even-tempered a man that has ever lived, Mr. Carroll had the patience of a Monk but when the occasion arose, could be a strict disciplinarian. His classroom rules were firm; no drugs or weapons were tolerated. To ensure compliance, he insisted that each person carrying empty their pockets before the period began. Your contraband (drugs, weapons, smokes) was placed in a desk drawer and collected after class. He was also considerate of other people’s feelings, never speaking too loudly to wake up anybody who may have dozed off during his class.
• In July, Royal Ballet stars Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn are arrested on narcotics charges in San Francisco – the headline screamed “Busted at Hippy Pad!”
• Alfonso’s (later to be reinvented as The Squire) in Revere is also hiring cocktail waitresses.
• Billy, Bobby and Ronny Fonzi, Dan Willinger and Donald Cunningham aka ‘Billy & the Twilights’ were all the rage in Malden in the mid ’60s!
• “Grilles” and “Cafes” were plentiful in Malden in 1967. You could quench your thirst and sate your appetite at any of the following: The Belmont Grille, the Malden Grille, The Highland Cafe, the Brunswick Cafe, Jack’s Cafe, the Maple Bar, Jack Haney’s Bar & Grille, the Showboat, Spady’s Restaurant, the Strandway Cafe, the West End Grille, Fred’s Diner, The Embassy Restaurant, the Linwood Cafe, Maher’s Cafe, DeMarco’s Cafe, The Rosebud, Max’s Delicatessen, the R&R Lounge, the Robin Hood Motor Lodge, the Salem Grill, the Town Line Oyster House, the Horseshoe Bar & Grille, Mike’s Cafe, Morrison’s Cafe, Brandanos, Triccas and many, many more.
• On May 21, The Jimmy Fund Little League Parade will begin at the Linden School at one o’clock and will include Congressman Torby Macdonald, Senator Fred Lamson, Mayor Walter Kelliher and LL President Charlie Maccaris.
• “Slim-It” is available at the Elmwood Pharmacy at 342 Pleasant St. Weight loss pills were all the rage in the mid-1960s and your guess is as good as mine on what “Slim-It” actually consisted of.
• April 27, 1967: “The Knights, after having won three consecutive BRL pennants, and three city titles, will have difficulty in any attempt to make it four. Hit hard by graduation, the Knights will need a strong showing from their younger players to repeat. Captain-elect Ralph Kelley, along with the three Paul’s – Maccioli, Tuxbury, and Lomartire – are the nucleus to whatever chances the club has. Glaring holes at second and third, plus a question mark offense appear too much for the Knights to overcome in their bid for another crown, unless a formidable showing from the younger players develops, it could become a long hot summer for manager Bob Rotondi and his coaches Chris McFadden, Frank Puccia, and Merle Rotondi.”
• My note: Merle was Bob’s dad and next time you are at a function at the Moose, ask Ralphie Kelley behind the stick (the guy who still looks like he can bench 300 lbs.) how they made out that season and if the younguns stepped up and brought continued fame and fortune to Bob’s legacy.
• Johnny Marsinelli of 30 Oakland St. is inducted by Local Boards 20 and 101 into the service as part of the May Quota. “Marse” came home safe and sound and married the love of his life, Maryalice. Maryalice can be spotted most days getting her pickleball on at Amerige Park.
• MacDaniel “Mac” Singleton will assume the duties of phys ed instructor at Beebe Jr. High School. Mac played football with the Lowell Giants of the Atlantic Coast League in 1966 and was captain on defense. He also had a tryout with the Boston Patriots in 1966 but was cut. I had Mac as my gym teacher in the 7th & 8th grades and used his foul throw shooting technique he taught us my whole life.
• MHS Junior catcher Billy Croken is quickly earning a reputation as a potential pro baseball prospect. In the first eight games he threw out 16 runners. The 5’9″ 170 lb. highschooler also pitches, and in his first start of the season threw a three-hitter against Chelsea. He will eventually be drafted by the Red Sox. Billy can still be spotted around Malden visiting old friends.
• Danny Boland struck out 18 batters and allowed four hits as the Pirates beat the Bees in Northern Little League action.
• We listened to WMEX (“where the hits hit first”) playing the best music ever created by groups like The Mamas & The Papas, The Monkees, Tommy James, The Young Rascals and The Four Tops (rest in peace, Abdul Duke Fakir).
• In Babe Ruth League action (future Malden mayor) Richie “Ace” Howard fired a two-hitter as the Stars beat the Colts 2-1.
• At Nelson’s Bakery you can pick up a mince pie for 65 cents, six Danish kipsies for 50 cents and apple gems and banana nut bread three for $1.10.
• For your information, in 1967 Ralph (Kelley) hit .423 for the Knights as an all-star catcher, Paul Tuxbury hit .388 and was 8-0 on the mound, Paul Maccioli hit .323 and was 3-1 on the hill and Paul Lomartire hit .312.
• The year 1967 will always be a special year for Pasquale Petrangelo (MHS 1975). “Leno” and nine other members of the Saraceni family emigrated from Italy and settled “in the best neighborhood in Malden, Edgeworth.” The rest is history.

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – Malden in 1967 was a singular and unforgettable moment in time: Urban Renewal was bulldozing us into the 21st century; the Orange Line had not yet opened us up to the rest of the world; and David Brickman’s Malden Evening News brought us news that we trusted. Each neighborhood had its own distinct flavor and unmistakable characters. We had a thriving downtown, outstanding elected officials who brought us together (not apart), no concrete beast in the middle of Pleasant Street (yet), two movie theaters, with the Highland Cafe serving the best pizza this side of the North End. For a year full of unrest and chaos at home, turmoil in the Middle East (as well as across the world) and with social mores finally being swept into the dusty past (Loving v Virginia!) – this was not such a bad year to be an All-American Maldonian!

—Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate and can be reached at PeteL39@aol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms.