~ Malden Musings ~

Malden Police Officer Joe Walker of Edgeworth Retires

By Peter Levine

As if I don’t feel old enough already! Great googly-moogly! Please say it ain’t so! Rumors of Malden Police Officer Joe Walker contemplating retirement makes a body feel mighty old! Stop the press! After 32 years in the Malden police force, Officer Walker has decided, no mas! That’s a shame because Joe is one of the good guys and is still a young pup to boot! Not just as a Constable on Patrol but as a human being. No lie or fake news there!

Speaking of Joe Walker… Joe and his family have deep roots in Malden. Truth be told, I’ve known Joe since his Devir Park playground days, back when (fill in your park) was an all-day, and for some of us, all-night commitment. Joe and his brother Jimmy came from that very last generation where you showed up in the morning, stayed until the streetlights came on… and sometimes stayed even after that. Then you graduated to the Bandstand, but that is a story for another day. LOL.

When Joe wasn’t holding court at Devir, he was roaming the streets of Edgeworth or posted up at his family’s market at the corner of Medford and West — an old-school Italian neighborhood institution many of you will remember called Forgione’s Market. If those walls could talk… they would tell a darn interesting story of how neighborhood markets were the defining landmarks of our youth. From hanging at “Connie’s Kitchen” (the affectionate nickname Joe gave his grandmother’s kitchen) to childhood shenanigans at Saint Rocco, from Little Pearl to Devir, and eventually to proudly serving his hometown as a police officer, Joe is yet another link in a long chain of those who made Edgeworth proud.

The photo included with this article was taken many years ago, but believe me when I tell you, Joe hasn’t aged a day since. With those Hollywood good looks, he may have missed his calling. Separated at birth: Joe Walker and Matt Damon?! I rest my case.

Before he officially rides off into the sunset, Joey graciously agreed to sit down, pen in hand, to answer a few questions. Or, as he gently reminded me, “Peter, you can just text me. You don’t need to find a pen and piece of paper.” Roasted. Someday, I promise, I’ll finally join the 21st century. In the meantime, enjoy:

1. My full name is…Joseph Walker.
2. I am currently…retired!
3. I am saving up for…a home in FLA.
4. My home is in… Malden, Mass.
5. I love people who…are kind & courteous.
6. Something I say a lot is…”treat people how you want to be treated.”
7. I consider myself to be…thoughtful to others.
8. I need to have…simplicity.
9. My favorite movie of all time is…The Town.
10. My all-time role model is…dad.
11. I respect people who…hold the door open for others (which is a lost art).
12. The best thing anyone has ever said to me is…when the doctor said, “Congrats on your new baby boy!”
13. I am happy when…others are happy.
14. I find Shane Gillis funny/hilarious.
15. I am named after…my great uncle, Joe Forgione.
16. I have (2) children. Kyle (24) & Ryan (21).
17. The farthest I’ve ever been from home is…Hawaii.
18. My special talents are…. talking instead of texting.
19. I have (0) pets.
20. I played sports as a youngster at…Devir Park & M.H.S.
21. What one thing would people be surprised to learn about you? That I’ve only seen approximately 15-20 movies in my life.
22. What was the first concert you attended? Kiss & Cheap Trick Boston Garden 1981.
23. Where would you most like to buy a one-way ticket to? Maui, HI
24. What person, alive or dead, would you like to eat dinner with? Any Levine!
25. What’s one song to play to put yourself in a good mood? Viva La Vida – Coldplay.
26. What is the one piece of advice that most changed your life? Life comes at you fast, keep your head on a swivel.
27. What advice would you give your younger self? Life is not a dress rehearsal, live every day to the fullest!!!
28. What’s the one thing that keeps you motivated? Self-motivation.
29. What’s the one thing you want to be remembered for? Being a good person and a GREAT dad!
30. Growing up what were your favorite places to grab a slice of pizza, a sub, or a French bread? The Highland for pizza. Big A for steak & cheese sub. Piantadosi for French bread.

Once again, congratulations Joe, enjoy, my friend!

It is said in “Malden Musings”…

• In the (take your pick) you cannot make this stuff up department or the more things change the more they stay the same department — for your reading pleasure — spotted on a street near you in Malden, this amazingly clueless lawn sign: “Everett High Sr Football Player Class of 26.” True story, pictures upon request. Insert yet another smiley face.
• Congratulations to those two wicked nice student/athletes representing Malden High School on the gridiron and beyond, Billy Gavin and Jayden McGuffie, for being selected as Boston Globe Greater Boston League All-Stars in last week’s Sunday Globe. Two very fine young men with bright futures! Congratulations once again and keep up the great work.
• Edward N. Hyde, 82, of Peabody, formerly of Malden. May his memory be a blessing.
• One of Billy Settemio’s besties took time out of her busy life to let her feelings be known about our late, great mutual friend. Take it away, Debbie Gray-Silvestri: “Billy was the kind of guy who’d ‘cut’ through the noise and make a real difference in people’s lives. As his hairstylist, I saw firsthand the impact he had on those around him. He’d ‘style’ his interactions with kindness, compassion, and a healthy dose of humor. And, of course, who could forget his thoughtful gestures, like surprising a 90-year-old customer with flowers on Mother’s Day? He was a true ‘cut’ above the rest! Great article Peter and I know you loved him.”
• Heroes amongst us. If you haven’t already heard, Forestdale School Principal and stone-cold Maldonian Adam Weldai went above and beyond the call of duty recently, donned his Superman cape and made his family and Malden proud. Very proud. In the spirit of full disclosure, I have always been a fan of Adam’s, so I am kind of biased when it comes to this remarkable young man. I digress… Tina Weldai, the floor is yours: “Our neighbors experienced a devastating house fire. After getting the granddaughter out of the house and calling 911, Adam didn’t hesitate, he ran into the burning house twice to save our neighbor’s dogs. No thought for himself, just instinct and compassion. Thankfully those dogs are alive and got to spend some time with Morty and Rico yesterday while the wonderful Malden Fire Department contained everything and our neighbors sorted out the aftermath. Very proud of my husband.”
• John Stracuzzi writes from his heart: “Read your article today about Malden back in the early ’70s. Brought back a lot of memories. I lived at the edge of Edgeworth, but I hung around Bell Rock Park which is only a few blocks away. Lots of the same things happening in the Bell Rock area, just happening at Bell Rock Park instead of Devir. I wish someone could do the same sort of look back for the Bell Rock Park area. Slightly different part of Malden, but a lot of the same kind of characters. Great job!” Thank you, John. Malden’s history from Ward to Ward or from park to park was so very similar. Much of the same mishegas took place and the memories will be with us forever. Thanks again for sharing.
• Special “Malden Musings” shout out to a lovely lady I recently met on a Saturday morning during youth basketball at the Salemwood who actually admitted that she reads this column. Didn’t say if she liked it or not. Don’t matter. As long as she’s reading. Insert smiley emoji. Thank you to Lauren Brett, who does the Lord’s work as an educator and above and beyond the call of duty mom. All the best Lauren, and thanks for reading.
• Roselyn E. Weinstein, 91, of Marblehead, formerly of Malden. May her memory be a blessing.
• Coming soon to a walking path near you: The Nonni of Edgeworth Walking Club. Still in its infant stages (very early… like “talking-about-it-while-exchanging-recipes early), and while you don’t have to be from Edgeworth to join, it definitely doesn’t hurt. Inspired by her big brothers Joe and Peter, the one-and-only Barbara Scibelli is preparing to sound the alarm as soon as she touches down from Fla. The call will go out to the Nonni network of classmates, friends, cousins, friends-of-cousins, anyone interested in logging a few miles before heading home to stir the Sunday sauce. After spotting a Facebook photo of her big brothers flanked by Greg Lucey, Craig Spadafora, Ron Hogan and Anthony Spadafora, Barbara had an epiphany worthy of a Scorsese soundtrack: “Fuhgeddaboudit. I’m getting the band back together.” These gentlemen, she decided, were not going to be the only ones working their way back into Revere Beach shape. “Where’s my Rolodex?” says Mrs. Scibelli! Looking forward to sharing the Northern Strand bike path with you and the gals, Barbara. Lace up those Chuck Taylor’s, see you soon!
• Happy, happy! Joy, joy! What a pleasure to receive this email from one Bob Morgan aka Angus Campbell: “I always look forward to your Musings, but this last one was filled with memories. Just a couple of observations: Patkin Cadillac was on Ferry Street within eyesight of my house at 76 Eastern Avenue. On the day you mentioned, Jordan Patkin had my dad playing the organ as entertainment with my younger brother Rick on snare drum. Campy was already in a wheelchair (I think) and took a liking to my brother giving him a dozen signed balls at the end of the day. Those balls were taken to Ferryway Green and put to good use (Harvey probably hit some of them.) … I was the park instructor at Tartikoff Park in the summer of 1959.” Bob, you made my day with this email. Please keep sharing Malden’s history with us and keep Harvey in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers from his devastating accident.

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — maybe you know her. Maybe you don’t. But if you’ve spent any time dealing with Malden’s Traffic Department over the years, chances are you’ve felt the steady, behind-the-scenes presence of Kathy Hannan.

Kathy is one of those valuable municipal employees who fly under the radar, show up every day, and quietly get the job done. Year after year, with the kind of dedication that can only come from loving what you do and loving the city you grew up in — no fanfare, no spotlight — just consistency, professionalism and pride. Now Kathy is calling it a day, preparing to sail off into a well-earned retirement sunset but not before leaving a mark on Malden that won’t be easily matched.

She’s one of the few who weathered all the Malden storms, serving first at the old police station on Middlesex Avenue (newbies to Malden — go ahead, try to figure out where that was!), then moving on to the Pleasant Street station during the era that helped change (and arguably) damage downtown, alongside the infamous “Beast That Ate Pleasant Street” (Steve Freker trademark pending), better known as City Hall. Finally, she landed at the state-of-the-art station on Eastern Avenue, adapting and persevering through every chapter. Through it all, Kathy remained constant: steady, reliable and committed to doing things the right way. Thank you, Kathy, for everything you’ve done over the years to make Malden a better place to live. We noticed. It mattered. And it is truly appreciated. Wishing you nothing but smooth sailing and happiness in retirement. See you at the Club!

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