~ Malden Musings ~ Charlie Byrne Remembered

By Peter Levine

Charles J. Byrne, 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on December 2 of last year. What more can a person ask for? Mr. Byrne was my social studies teacher at Beebe Jr. High School. He was a really good man, exceptional educator at Beebe and valued role model shaping our young minds. My admiration for Mr. Byrne has lasted a lifetime – somebody I have looked up to (both figuratively and literally) since the 7th grade. Charlie was blessed with a large, beautiful family. Imagine – four children and 11 grandchildren! What a wonderful life!

I recall the first time running into Mr. Byrne at the Highland Cafe when I became of drinking age. From time-to-time Charlie and fellow Beebe teacher Jim O’Connell would enjoy a pint or two at the bar along with one of the Highland’s famous pies. So, I walk into the bar area, spy them bellying up, nursing a draft and, of course, as we were all brought up back then, I address them as “Mister.” “Hello Mr. Byrne, hello Mr. O’Connell.” Both look at me and in unison in a stern tone bark, “Our names are Charlie and Jim!” Never to be forgotten. I had joined the Club; I was now an adult. I just loved that guy. Rest in peace, Mr. Byrne.

Bobby Patrie grew up at Devir Park; he had these words to say about Mr. Byrne: “An outstanding baseball coach at Beebe. Got us ready to play high school ball. When I coached soccer I would quote him, “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes habits. Only perfect practice makes perfect!” I had much respect for Charlie Byrne even as a Jr Higher. May God keep family, friends and colleagues for His comfort and grace this Christmas season.”

It is said in “Malden Musings”…

• Malden…beyond Edgeworth. This week’s article will not contain the word Edgeworth. Edgeworth-free, one week only. Insert smiley face.
• Interesting bit of Malden trivia discovered recently as I scanned through my latest collection of “Malden – This Week” issues donated to me by living legend Ronny “The Old Ranger” Cox. I’ve known Ronny since the summer of ’72 (he always had great moss, btw) – and believe me on this one, Malden – if Ron had been paid what he was worth for what he did for the youth of Malden and for the positive impact he has made in this city for the last 50-plus years, he’d be a multimillionaire! On a side note, and this is just my opinion, MATV aka UMA has not been the same since he left. But I digress…this gem appeared in a June 20, 1985, copy: “Red Sox tenants at the Malden Granada Highlands (now Altitude Apt) are Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Al Nipper, Bruce Kison, Jackie Gutierrez, and Mike Trujillo. Sox wives will hold a Charity Las Vegas Night at the Colonial on June 27th. Committee includes Joan Stanley, Debbie Boggs (pre-Margo scandal), Debbie Clemens, and Cheryl Hoffman.”
• All the platters that matter! Currently on my turntable: the classic 1958 Ames Brothers release, “Destination Moon.” The four Malden brothers are pictured on the cover in black tuxedos examining the Moon’s surface in this space age–inspired ode to the American public’s fascination with space travel. The cover alone is worth the price, but you haven’t heard “Stella by Starlight” until you’ve heard the Suffolk Square lad’s version.
• Richie Cremone Redux: Some dream of silver & gold (hey, there’s a Hank Williams Sr. song there), lottery riches or luxury vacations aboard Viking cruise line. On this cold, wintry late February Saturday evening – as I sit on my recliner watching the Harry-O episode “Double Jeopardy” (David Janssen, 1975) directed by John (One Step Beyond) Newland with special guest (pre–Charlie’s Angels) Farrah Fawcett – I (once again) dream of Richie Cremone’s chicken soup. The soup that made Chef Richie famous and I fall in love with him again (both figuratively and literally!).
• The Malden/Medford-based rock band Extreme are at the top of their game once again – ripping it up around the world without an end in sight. The last “scheduled” show on this never-ending tour is on July 4 at Ferrara Buskers Festival 2024 in Ferrara, Italy. But I highly doubt it if it ends there. They are on a serious roll! Did you know that…Gary (Cherone) and Nuno (Bettencourt) wrote the Market Basket smash hit “More Than Words” on the steps of Gary’s childhood home on Highland Avenue?
• I am very happy to report that the North End’s most famous destination for square slices, Galleria Umberto, continues to make the best pie in Boston! This Hanover Street institution – owned and operated by brothers Ralphie and Paul Deuterio (both old Malden Y guys) – has been serving up the best Sicilian slices of pizza, the best arancini, the best panzerotti and the best calzone since JFK was in office! Many more years of success, gentlemen, see you soon!
• Special shout-out to M & M Liquors on Broadway for proudly serving the Malden and Melrose area with the coldest beer in town – since 1934! You read that right! They are third-generation family-owned and operated, and it shows! Thanks to Gary and the whole staff for being there all these years for us! And thanks for ensuring the Ballantine Ale is always stocked (insert smiley face)!
• Last week I misidentified where Fergie, Jonesy, Brick, Pitty and Benny were sitting. Apologies go out to John at Floramo’s for misidentifying Floramo’s as the 621 Tavern. Again, both fabulous family owned “townie” restaurants where you never get a bad meal or a bad pour. I hope to visit both again in the very near future.
• They were the young bloods that ran crazy wild through the neighborhood, the youngsters who owned the streets some 45 years ago, from Avon Street all the way down Highland Avenue to Beebe (occasionally getting into mischief). Jimmy Walker, Bobby Barry and Tony Cardarelli had a mini reunion last Friday night at the I.A.C.C. on Pearl Street with glory day stories thrown around faster than a Nolan Ryan fastball. A touch of gray here, a hint of paunch there (except Jimmy! He ain’t no Joey Walker, but damn, Jimmy aged well!), the three amigos never skipped a beat. It was 1976 all over again! Great seeing you, guys, next time at San Rock!
• I hate to see the destruction of 15 Ferry St. It saddens me to see more of Malden’s past disappear. Have we not learned anything in the past 50 years?
• Anybody who knows Billy Settemio knows he has a million stories. I am trying to document some of the more “printable” ones in future columns. It’s a work in progress. Next time you see him, let him know you want to read some of them (especially the night in 1978 Montrose’s Sammy Hagar took over the bar!). There are “8 million stories in the naked city.” Billy has 9 million!
• Richie Sica turns 70?! Don’t seem possible. Seventy, the new sixty! Must be because he married so well! Looking good, Richie!

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – it’s been a little over a year since he passed, but Jack Drane certainly left a huge hole in our hearts when he departed. Jack was one of Malden’s most lovable and special characters. In the late 1980s through the 1990s he held court at his music/memorabilia store (“Jack’s Music”) a stone’s throw from (the late, but not great) “Beast That Ate Pleasant Street.” Just as happy swapping music-related stories as making a sale, the man could tell a darn good yarn. His knowledge of music and music history ran deep. Jack was a child of the 1960s; music and photography were two of his passions. I was fortunate enough to get a peek at his treasure trove of rare photos he took in the ’60s at long gone, legendary venues, such as the Boston Tea Party, the Psychedelic Supermarket and Paul’s Mall/Jazz Workshop. His “man-cave” was a tribute to the pop culture he loved so much. And I was privileged enough to get a personal tour: pictures of “new” bands, such as The Doors and The Jimi Hendrix Experience; pictures of unknowns (at the time), such as Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin; up close and personal shots of The Who in all their crazy, youthful exuberance. One of the last times I saw Jack, I was in his store right after he received a stash of Johnny Cash vinyl records, all in mint condition! I got the “Friend of Jack Drane” discount and scooped up the whole lot. We miss you, Jack, you are remembered and loved.

Postscript: With another (potentially dreadful) Red Sox season knocking on our front doors (Rafael Devers has started to chirp, stay tuned for spring training fireworks), I bring to you, once again, my version of The Boston Globe’s “50 Words” – actually this was rejected once by The Globe. Just goes to show that The Globe isn’t infallible (insert smiley face): 50 Words: October 1, 1978; A Day That Will Sadly Live Forever.

“Moe, Lynchie, Jimmy D, and I arrive in Kenmore Square even before the sausage vendors. Yanks versus Sox for a trip to the big show. Bucky ‘Bleepin’ Dent. Immortal in one swing. Happiness to despair in nine short innings. Gloom following four young lives all the way to Malden Square.”

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