~ Malden Musings – Anthony Chiccuarelli, 1959-2026, A Life Well Lived

By Peter Levine

One of the original “Edgeworth Boys of Summer,” Anthony Chiccuarelli, has left us far too soon. It’s hard to even make sense of it, and much, much harder to accept. Chic was my friend. He was your friend. He was everyone’s friend. A devoted father, husband and grandfather, a mentor, a coach and a man who carried himself with quiet respect, dignity and genuine kindness. He meant so much to so many, and he gave that same care back without hesitation. We’re all still trying to understand how someone so full of life and goodness could be taken from us so quickly. It doesn’t seem fair, and maybe it never will. I’ll always remember Chic. Malden, I sincerely hope you do also.

“All aboard… Nebraska’s our next stop.” Chic would smile at that, even if most won’t quite get it. We love you, Chic. Forever remembered in Malden Musings. May his memory be a blessing.

It is said in Malden Musings…

• That familiar and forever lovely face smiling back at you as you enter the legendary Bob’s food store in Medford is none other than Maldonian Ilysa Masters-McCarthy. Ilysa runs the joint with her paisan (Meffa boy) Tony. Between the two of them, they make a trip into our high school archrivals’ western territory a surprisingly pleasant experience. BFS has the best Italian sandwiches you will ever eat in your life! No lie or fake news there. If you haven’t been to Bob’s, you gotta go soon! Say hello to Ilysa while you are there and order the chicken parm! Then Fuhgeddaboudit!
• Breaking News….heroes amongst us. Jody Moscone is one of the newer members of the Malden Parking Department — coming over from the Crossing Guard world — Jody is quickly making her mark in the department and in Malden. In early April, as Jody did her early morning rounds, she spotted what was the beginning of a small fire on a porch on Hawthorne. Jody quickly jumped into action, first knocking on the front door to alert residents then dialing 911. Responding quickly as they usually do, the MFD arrived on the scene and made short work of the emergency before it could do serious damage. Thank you, Jody, and thank you to the brave men and women of the MFD. Malden is in wicked good hands for sure.
• He is now a member of the “Anthony’s Round Table” behind the veil. Frankie Schifano, give a great big bear hug to Neal, Papa Tony & Alice, Al Aretusi, Joe Candy, Jimmy D, Stevie McCarthy, Joey Marino and the rest of the boyos for us.
• Congratulations to the name and face of the Malden Senior Center for so many years, Cheryl Spinella. Cheryl retired early in April after 30 years of service to the community she loves so much, Malden. Cheryl is one of those rare souls who it is simply a pleasure to know. Way to go Mrs. Spin, but we’re gonna miss you! Tell Mr. Spin I said hello!
• Oh yeah, and also congrats on the arrival of your first grand bambino!!
• Ya never know who ya gonna run into roaming the highways and byways of North Malden aka West Peabody! This time, not at the Big Y but at Kiley Field off Johnson Street not far from said Big Y — Kevin and Karen Killion’s little brother Brian was this week’s Maldonian who has taken root in Tanner City. Brian looks great and was there to cheer on his little girl Teagan — now a freshman at MC — at the Peabody Tanners Little League Girls Softball Rally/Parade (btw, the WP Little League do a bang-up job for the kids of Peabody much like Malden has been providing for children all these years). A standout softball player, Brian’s pride and joy has one last year of softball eligibility before she moves on up the competitive softball ladder. Brian is a good ole boy — one of the more stand-up guys in Malden and a mainstay at the Irish American, where a lot of wonderful things happen. I don’t write about the IA enough, but I should. This is a social club that has always cared; always cared about people, always cared about Malden, always cared about the community at-large. Great seeing you, Brian, and just for the record — we’re all rooting for better times at the I.A.!
• Funny — not “ha-ha” funny, but the kind of funny that’s (in my opinion) so improbable it almost sounds made up. I think I may have told this once (or twice) in the past, but it’s too good not to tell again (well, you be the judge, LOL). Brian’s big brother Kevin served with the Malden Police for many, many years before finally hanging up his dress blues and settling into the well-earned life of a gentleman of leisure. Now, to set the stage — I’m told many police officers can go an entire career without ever firing their weapon in the line of duty. Not Kevin. On his very first day on the job — Day One! — wouldn’t you know it, he gets involved with some bad guys, has to draw his service weapon…and actually fires it. First day! You can’t make this stuff up (well, ya could — but I didn’t despite what Pete Robby might say). Believe it…or not.

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — and now here’s something we hope you’ll really like… The relentless negativity on certain virtual platforms is growing tiresome. Malden is a vibrant, diverse and forward-moving community. It deserves a “media” voice that reflects that spirit, not one that tries to tear it down. At a time when so many inspiring things are happening across our city, it’s persistent focus on division does a disservice to the people who call this place home. If this source of “information” can’t find it in itself to highlight the good, then perhaps it’s time to reconsider its role here. Either be part of the solution or kindly step aside. Malden thrives on unity, not division. In a similar vein, come election time, let’s all remember who aims to uplift — and who chooses to divide. Malden stands for community, not contempt. Thanks for listening (stepping down gingerly from my soapbox) and now back to our regularly scheduled program.

Postscript 1: Chic was a sweetheart of a man. Those that know, know. Here is a good example. This, told by Chic in an article I wrote a couple years back regarding his man crush on The Boss, Bruce Springsteen: “True story – when my daughter Cailyn was born (my oldest) the first time I held her I actually sang Thunder Road to her. No rhyme or reason – it just popped into my head (nobody was around while I sang, by the way!). So, Thunder Road was always our song. She just got married this New Year’s Eve and our father/daughter dance of course was … Thunder Road. Meaningful moment!!” Forever memory, forever remembered, Anthony Chic!

Postscript 2: 11 years. Seems like yesterday. It was an “ordinary day that I wished I could wind back and make go away” (thank you, Nuno Bettencourt, for these words). Happy Mother’s Day, Dorothy Drago Levine.

Postscript 3: Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.

—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.