English
Spanish
Portuguese
Arabic
Haitian Creole
Chinese (Traditional)
Special to The Advocate
Mayor Gary Christenson recently attended the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston’s Yom HaShoah 2026: Boston’s Community Holocaust Commemoration. The annual event serves as a day of remembrance for the six million Jews that were killed during the Holocaust. Honored posthumously during this year’s ceremony were two Malden residents, World War II Veterans and Dachau liberators: former Linden School Principal William “Bill” Dempsey and Ralph M. Leach.
Bill Dempsey, who passed away in 2024, one month before his 100th birthday, left Boston College to enlist in the U.S. Army at the start of World War II. As a member of the 42nd Infantry (“Rainbow”) Division, his first combat action was in the Battle of the Bulge. His wartime experience included singlehandedly halting the advance of a German surprise attack on his company, for which he won a Bronze Medal. On April 29, 1945, his squad played a key part in opening the gates and liberating the Dachau concentration camp, an experience that haunted him throughout his life. Bill was a lifelong resident of Malden, where he had a successful career as an educator and principal in the Malden school system. He and his beloved wife, Terry, raised their five children in Malden.
Ralph Leach, who passed way in 2024 at age 98, was born in Bangor, Maine. He joined the 45th Infantry Division of the Army after graduating from high school. He was injured but returned to his unit in May of 1945 in time to support the liberation of Dachau. After the war, he earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and married Norva, who was from Malden, where they raised their son, Norvin. In his final years he moved to Seattle to be with his son and grandchildren.
An essay contest in honor of Holocaust survivor Israel “Izzy” Arbeiter was also a central part of the event. The contest honors Izzy’s legacy. Izzy survived the Holocaust against all odds, though he lost most of his family. He and his wife, Anna, also a Holocaust survivor, emigrated to the United States after the war. Izzy, who became a good friend to Mayor Christenson, spoke several times to Malden High School students about the importance of never forgetting the Holocaust. He passed away in 2021 at age 96.
“I can’t think of a better way to honor two of Malden’s finest,” said Mayor Christenson. “I’m truly grateful to the JCRC for selecting Bill Dempsey and Ralph Leach for these honors.”
