Councillor Simonelli remembers well-known Malden ‘good guy’ & mentor after unexpected passing

Wayne F. Martineau Sr., lifelong Malden resident and local city employee, suddenly, at 66

By Steve Freker

They grew up together in one of Malden’s most well-known neighborhoods, right on the same corner, among the same people. Their friendship was formed over 50 years ago and it never wavered. That is why it was so hard for Chris Simonelli to say goodbye to Wayne Martineau Sr. at services held Monday in Malden for one of the city’s most popular and respected residents.

It is no secret that Simonelli, who is now on his second “tour” representing Ward 7 on the Malden City Council, is someone who wears the proverbial “heart on his sleeve.” So did his late, lifelong friend Wayne, who passed away suddenly on April 20 after a brief battle with cancer.

Councillor Simonelli recalled Wayne Martineau before requesting a moment of silence in his friend’s name at the last full Council meeting. It was not an easy task for the born-and-bred Malden guy who still lives in the same neighborhood. “We both lived in the Newland Street projects and we grew up with the same friends and same neighborhood,” Simonelli recalled at the Council meeting. “In an important time of our lives, we all looked out for each other, Wayne a lot more than others, probably. He always went the extra mile.”

“Wayne was a frequent babysitter for the younger kids in my family and me at times,” Simonelli said, and with a smirk, “if he was here he’d probably say he was still doing it for me!”

Simonelli told his Council colleagues and those watching the Council meeting that Wayne Martineau, who worked many years for Malden Housing in his adult life, must have had “a calling.” “I believe we are all here for a reason,” said Simonelli, who had a difficult time with his emotions during his tribute, at times fighting a losing battle holding back tears. “Wayne was here with us to help people. He helped everyone, all the time. That’s what he did and we were so blessed to have him with us.”

Simonelli recounted that Wayne Martineau was a mentor and assisted others in so many ways, despite dealing with challenges and tragedies in his own family, with the loss of cherished children and others. Wayne was a dear friend of the late Malden Babe Ruth Baseball icon Bob Rotondi, who passed away in 2024, and was a daily visitor and aide to Bob when he most needed help at home.

“I’m going to miss him so much, I already do,” Simonelli said, just a day after his passing. “He did so much in this city for so many people. We will all miss him.”

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A funeral for Wayne Martineau was held from the A. J. Spadafora Funeral Home, Malden on Monday followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Wayne’s life in Sacred Hearts Church, Malden. Interment was in Forest Dale Cemetery in Malden.