~ Malden Musings ~ Chelsea’s Jay Ash Speaks

By Peter Levine

It is said in “Malden Musings”…

Former Ward 5 Councillor, between the line’s never say quit warrior (outside the lines also), and current man of leisure who also married very well, John Furlong, jolted my memory after he read the “Summer of ’79 Revisited” article. He reminded me of a number of non-Maldonian cagers who made an impact in the Malden Men’s Rec Basketball League back in the Rec glory days. Guys like Meffa’s Mike McCormick at Bowdoin, Jerry Scott, who played at Providence, John Miller, Assumption, Keith Whit, UMass Amherst; Kevin Headley played with NY Knick all-time great Patrick Ewing at Cambridge Rindge & Latin and (we think) Bridgewater State; Kenny “Monster” Kocher dominated at Salem State, and Jay Ash (yes, THAT Jay Ash, Mass. Secretary of Housing and Economic Development under Governor Charlie Baker, previously serving as City Manager in Chelsea) made it look easy at Clark. Thanks, John, for reminding me that those guys made it quite painful at times to play in that league.

I heard from Jay Ash after I posted pictures to his FB page. It was a game played many years ago at Malden High School in the Rec League — his Broadway East team (remember BE? North Shore Acappella owned that joint on Sunday nights during our glorious past) versus my Levine Club. Now, Jay was a force of nature on the hoop court. He played college hoops at Clark, where he was captain, graduating in 1983 and at a skilled 6′ 8″ (or so) needed constant attention on the court, to say the least. The only issue he had when he played for BE was ball distribution. Sharing the round ball with 6′ 7″ Rudy Williams and all-world point guard Bobby Chew (his family-owned BE) was a daunting task, to say the least. You see, Rudy starred at Providence College and had a “cup of coffee” I believe with the New Jersey Nets while Bobby could score 25 in his sleep, as the saying goes.

After I posted the pictures, Jay had this marvelous retort: “Peter, you should have joined us after the games at Broadway East – if you thought Rudy took lots of shots at MHS, you should have seen all the shots he had at BE! Almost put Bobby out of business! Power forward (Dom) Lamarra was there to be the enforcer – although Rudy and he had good softball discussions, both could flat out play ball (and drink). Thanks for sharing those pictures – I didn’t know we had color photos from back then!!!!”

Attention! Malden High School Class of 1975! It’s time for the Big 5-0! Can you believe it? Our 50th Class Reunion is just around the corner! (Yes, really… FIFTY.) Time may have flown, but our memories — and some of our dance moves (well, maybe not mine) are still going strong. Save the date: Saturday, September 20, Crowne Plaza, Woburn. Get ready to party like it’s 1975 all over again! We’ll laugh, reconnect, reminisce and squint at each other, asking, “Wait… do I know you?” (Except for you, Jack Freker and Mark Burns, who’ve somehow discovered the fountain of youth and still look like you just walked off the field at Macdonald Stadium.) Tickets: $100. Cocktail Hour: 5–6 p.m. (Cash Bar) — Buffet Dinner + Merrymaking immediately following! Dancing, storytelling and a whole lot of horseplay strongly encouraged! RSVP by August 20 — make checks payable to Pam Picillo and mail to 7 Peterson Rd., Peabody, MA 01960. Need a room? Call 781-935-8760 to book a special $169 rate for the night at the Crowne Plaza. Let’s make this night unforgettable — because let’s face it, we’ll need the photos to remember it by! Am I right?

“Malden Musings” is not just a list of old places (although it often resembles such); it’s about the memories and connections people have with them. This column attempts to highlight the importance of these shared experiences in shaping our understanding of a place and its community. With that said… Our paths rarely crossed over the years, but just last week I found myself deep in conversation with Ron Falite — and it turns out, we’re cut from the same Maldonian cloth (even though he’s a Wakefield guy).

You see, in Malden — or “Maldonia,” as Chris (Moro) likes to say — if you’re not related by blood, you’re probably connected by neighborhood. If you didn’t share a classroom, then you likely shared a ballfield. And if your family didn’t know their family, then someone in the corner booth at the Irish American or the IACC sure did. That’s the beauty of this city — tight-knit, a little insular, proudly provincial and (quite) rich with overlapping stories.

Ron and I had our moment of Maldonian revelation where all good conversations begin — and all good men meet — at the Italian American Citizens Club. We took a stroll down memory lane, swapping names and stories like trading cards (he was holding some serious Mickey Mantles), and by the end, it felt like we’d known each other forever. Turns out, we’re practically blood brothers by way of six degrees of Malden separation.

You probably already know Ron — he’s a familiar face around town and the President of Falite Brothers, the HVAC company that’s been keeping homes comfortable since 1980. But beyond business, Ron’s the kind of guy you’re lucky to sit across from with a drink in hand swapping stories of who knows who.

So, here’s to new chums that were always there, just waiting to be recognized. Ron’s a stand-up guy, and I’m proud to finally, officially, call him paisan.

By the way, congratulations to Chris Moro for joining the esteemed ranks of the Massachusetts Italian American Sports Hall of Fame committee. They do great work, and you will be a fine addition.

“All my best memories come back clearly to me. Some can even make me cry just like before. It’s yesterday once more.” —Karen Carpenter.

This week, I take a stroll down memory lane with another Malden slice of life: a quiet reflection on the soul of a city that once thrived in corner stores, familiar faces, Bandstands and front stoop conversations. Just a small glimpse into what made — and still makes — our little five-square-mile hometown something truly special. Names and places from yesteryear echo in our hearts like the chime of a distant ice cream truck on a summer evening (Eddie the Ice Cream Man, anyone?), reminders of a time when neighbors were family (well, most of them anyway) and every street had a story.

“Malden Musings” once again celebrates the Maldonians who left their fingerprints on the fabric of our city — not with headlines or grand gestures (unlike some elected officials in the not-so-distant past aka last June 4th) — but through their everyday grace, hard work and neighborly spirit. They made Malden a place worth calling home. They worked, played, laughed and leaned on each other — something that feels all the rarer in today’s fast-moving, fractured world exacerbated by those (at times) who should know better.

In Malden, we remember. We hold dear those who came before us, the friendships that shaped our youth, and those still waiting to be made. Because, in my humble opinion, memories aren’t just things we carry — they’re threads that stitch us together. Who can deny that? Yeah, nobody.

With that said, lest we forget… paraphrasing Elie Wiesel, “If we forget those who came before us, they will die a second time.” Maldonians who walked these streets, let’s say their name again…

• Bill Mini: Father, husband, teacher/rabbi, historian, author, artist, lover of Malden and World War II vet.
• Angelo “Sonny” Mercurio: Pearl Street Bakery manager/West End of Boston expat.
• Josephine M. Cherone: Kind, generous, giving mother of five fine boys. This world is a lot less rich with Mrs. C gone.
• Joe Croken: Malden District Court Clerk Magistrate, YMCA Chowhound, friend to many, beloved raconteur.
• Anthony “Papa Tony” Spadafora: Patriarch of the Spadafora clan, brother of World War II hero Albert and young Craigie’s grand-pappy.
• Harry Mehos: Malden sports icon and Johnny and Mike’s older brother. An individual who 2025 Malden misses a great deal.
• Laura Damiano: Saint Peter’s Church insider, treasured Edgeworthian and fierce protector of her four boys.
• Walter Kelliher: Eight term Mayor of Malden, consummate insider, World War II Navy veteran.
• Bobby Crowley: Singer of songs, father, husband, friend to many.
• Joe D’Orsi: Founder of Harvard Pastry on Highland Ave.; born in Italy and World War II Army vet.
• Stoneham’s Mario Cantone: Big Cheese at Cantone’s Italian Restaurant on Broad Street in Boston — later to be reinvented as one of the first “punk rock” clubs in Beantown. Bronze Star recipient in World War II and father to nationally known comedian Mario Cantone. Mario was also a proud YMCA Chowhound and one of the Y regulars back in the glory days of the old barn. And a really hot (expletive deleted). Many were the hours we spent entertained in the steam room as Mario dispensed words and tales of wisdom, much to our delight.
• Bill Dempsey: World War II vet and witness to history. Teacher beloved by generations. Imagine being loved and venerated by generations?! I cannot.
• Barney Kahn aka The Malden Square Dean of Merchants: The King of Kings in Malden Square for decades and The Square’s first Douglas Tran.
• Papa Tony’s brother SS Albert N. Spadafora: World War II Army Air Force Gold Star hero.
• Edmund Trabucco: Former Malden Chief of Police and much more.
• Eleanor Molinari: Housewife, mother, boss of bosses in the Edgeworth neighborhood, married to World War II hero Frankie. Eleanor passed right through the Pearly Gates no questions asked for having made sons Frankie, Johnny and Jimmy (Ernie was always a nice boy) into upstanding citizens, after rocky starts. Insert great big smiley face. Daughters Mary, Angela and Paula? Saints!
• Sean Lucey: Ed and Mary’s son and one of the most unique individuals ever to call Malden home; born with an innate sense of what was important in life, the importance of human reasoning, ethics and critical thinking. Yeah, he was way ahead of his time. He loved The Clash and turned me on to Stiff Little Fingers!
• “Malden Musings” remembers so we don’t forget.

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” …Happy May 31st birthday to lifelong pally, Greg Lucey — Edgeworth kid through and through, by way of Forestdale, former City Clerk, Councillor-at-Large and forever one of Malden’s best friends. Greg and I go way back — all the way to Beebe Jr. High, where we shared a locker stuffed with dog-eared issues of Mad Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and The Boston Globe. That locker held more than just magazines — it held the early threads of a friendship that’s lasted a lifetime. In high school, we spent countless mornings at Schopell’s in Malden Square, fueling up on pancakes and “what are we gonna do Friday night” questions. And when we weren’t there, we were at Devir Park — playing baseball, football, basketball, whist and whiffle ball deep into the summer nights, under the glow of Emerald and Malden streetlights while the soundtrack of our (at times misguided) youth played on. Mr. Big Stuff, anyone?!

The Devir Park Bandstand stories? Those late-night tales are just between Greg and me (and that’s how they’ll stay — smiley face here).

So many moments, each one stitched into the fabric of growing up Malden. Every memory as vivid and cherished as the next. No lie.

Another (kinda) milestone birthday, Luce — and the gray? You wear it well. Here’s to old friends, the best stories and many more chapters still to come.

Postscript 1: Did anyone else catch the thinly veiled jab/slur at the Saint Rocco Feast — and the proud Malden/Edgeworth community that’s kept this tradition alive for over 90 years — on the “Faceplant” page, Malden Network News, a couple weeks back? I sure did. And trust me, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on it very soon. Shame on you, MNN, for disrespecting a celebration that means so much to so many.

Postscript 2: John Baglio — get well soon my friend. You are in our thoughts.

—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.