~ Malden Musings ~ Dana Brown Speaks

By Peter Levine

When former Malden High School Principal Dana Brown speaks, we listen. From up on high comes the word! From the man with the master plan, the keeper of calm in the midst of chaos, whose heart and soul beat in time with these here five square miles we proudly call Maldonia. The living legend who once turned nights into days (and somehow survived to tell the tale! LOL) — the one, the only — former Malden High School Principal, guardian of Golden Tornado lore, and eternal torchbearer of our city’s spirit: Mr. Dana Brown.

Today, Dana steps forth from his mountaintop to deliver a message worth its weight in Malden gold. Here he is, pontificating — no, preaching! — about the incredibly generous check donated by Teddy and Maureen Teal to the Malden Warming Center. After reading his heartfelt words on Facebook, I swear I almost saw the light myself. Insert giant smiley face for dramatic effect.

So, without further ado…

“I use the line… All Roads… when talking about Malden. Others have borrowed it. LOL. It means many things to many people. For some people it’s about the Kevin Bacon-like ‘6 degrees of separation’ of Malden. Go anywhere, talk to anyone and you will get to a Malden connection. Travel. Move away. Doesn’t matter. Never fails. Never. For me, it’s a bit more than that. It’s about the loyalty, the unconditional love the city gives to some of us and that we give back in return. It’s about seeing someone for the first time in years, feeling like you talked to them the week before. There is just a sense of goodness that many here have. It’s about a Saturday in November, when seemingly half the City is burying an IACC icon, Billy Settemio, while others are honoring another Malden legend, Danny Gilligan, at a retirement party. It’s about being handed an envelope by an old friend, husband and wife from generational Malden families, and then opening it later. Yikes. I’m getting goosebumps typing this. This is fricken Malden! All roads…Thank you!

“In loving memory of Lisa Gilligan — thank you, from the very bottom of our hearts to the extraordinary Teddie and Maureen Teal for the $1,000 donation. Their kindness shines brighter than the Macdonald Stadium lights on Thanksgiving morning.”

It is said in “Malden Musings”…

• In case you haven’t heard, the Prince of Edgeworth, Billy Settemio, passed away recently. I am still wrapping my head around it and promise a more comprehensive word or two “Malden Musings” style in the very near future. In the meantime, here is Joe Crowley from Pisa Pizza letting Maldonia know how much he appreciated Billy: “Our prayers go out to Billy [Settemio’s] family today. If you’ve spent any time in Edgeworth, you would recognize his smile and kind words from a mile away. For over 30 years we’ve had him coming through our front door always talking about family and good times. You will be missed by so many, Billy. Praying for comfort for his family and close friends!!!”
• Who else is just loving the wonderful weed garden Malden has installed at the One Salem Street location?! Nice assortment of weed trees and crabgrass that has enhanced the beauty of that iconic location a great deal indeed — said no one.
• Selma van de Perre, Dutch Jew who resisted Nazis, 103. May her memory be a blessing. Do yourself a favor and Google this remarkable woman’s life.
• Anybody else read the article in the June 29 edition of the Boston Globe Magazine titled “The case of the Dutch metal detectorist and the mysterious solider from Malden”? Shame if you didn’t. Find it online or see me for a hard copy (I have one available).
• “Fan mail from some flounder”… from my pally, Timmy Carey — future Malden High School Athletic Hall of Famer (my note: I’m on a mission, Timmy, we’ll get you in): “loved reading the back story on Leo Moro. Leo was my Babe Ruth coach on the Chiefs for 3 years in the early 80’s. Loved playing for him and enjoyed him tremendously on a personal level. He took me to my first BC football game vs Alabama at Foxboro in 1983. Great watching Flutie for the first time. I stayed friendly with Leo long after my playing days. Never once did he ever share any of his military service with me, but I guess that happened a lot with those guys of the greatest generation. God Bless you in heaven Leo.”
• Malden. Malden. Malden. You’re gonna miss Craig Spadafora! Maybe not right now but down the road a piece. Definitely. Ward 8 Councillor Jadeane Sica was spot on a couple weeks back with her Letter to the Editor appearing in these same pages. Yes indeed, Craig never needed headlines or a photo op because he always led from the heart with patience, humility and that fab sense of humor he inherited from his pops, Saint Albert. Jadeane nailed it: “he is the person who shows up when no one is watching — early mornings, late nights, and every weekend in between.” Malden, I been around long enough to confidently say you ain’t never gonna see another Craig Spadafora walk through that council door again. Too bad. Happy trails, Craig, best of luck to you and your family in the future, but I know you ain’t gonna disappear on us (like many others have in the past). And I know for a stone-cold FACT, Malden will miss you.
• Maldonia! Have you heard the song “24 Kenmore Road” yet? No? Well, you should! Malden High School Class of 1971’s Danny Pallotta’s heartfelt ode to the street he grew up on is a wonderful tribute to timeless memories. Listen to it on Facebook! Much like Mikey, you’ll like it!!
• Apropos of nothing… Michael Boyle! I hear tell you met an adopted son of Malden recently. Somerville’s Mike “Hammer” Hamilton mentioned he ran into you and you two exchanged “who knows who” stories. Good people that Hammer! Next time you’re in Malden, Mr. Boyle, you best let us know so we can exchange pleasantries and maybe an adult beverage or two.
• Malden, in case you forgot, Mike was an outstanding athlete at MHS and graduated in 1977 along with many other fine athletes! His family contributed much to the success of present-day Malden. His dad (Arthur) was a beloved Principal, and his moms (Peg) was on the school committee, which doesn’t even begin to properly explain the impact his whole family made on Malden. Today Mike is an internationally recognized strength and conditioning coach, known specifically for his expertise in functional training. He cofounded Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning (MBSC) and has held significant coaching positions with Boston University, the Boston Bruins and the Boston Red Sox, with whom he won a World Series in 2013. Keep making Malden proud, Mike!
• A recent article featured the 1929 undefeated Lincoln Junior High football team and their mini dynasty. Also mentioned was the late Suffolk Square with their large Jewish population. Most famous SS resident? Lisbon Street’s Norman “Spirit in the Sky” Greenbaum? If you have another popular SS resident, please send it my way. Okay, maybe the Ames Brothers also.
• Congratulations to an adopted Son of Malden, Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt, on his first Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance. The song “Changes” (Live from Villa Park/Back to the Beginning) earned the nod along with newest rock sensation Yungblud (well, I think he is anyway!), Frank Bello and Adam Wakeman II. Nuno is so deserving of this nomination, and this should have happened multiple times over his long career. Anybody who has ever witnessed Nuno play in person knows of what I speak. And on a personal note, I can attest that NB is one of the most wonderful humans walking Planet Earth at this time. Congrats again, dude!
• I jinxed old friend Johnny Bionelli (Emerald Street boy who grew up to be Aerosmith’s Road Manager and, on occasion, worked as Ringo Starr’s manager also) when I mentioned that he was still playing ice hockey at age 61. Shortly after that article printed, JB sent me a photo from Hades. He had pulled a hammy that weekend and the picture he sent hurt just looking at it! Get well soon, my friend!
• Also, John, I will continue to work on your behalf on your induction into the Malden High School Alumni Hall of Fame. You SO deserve to be in. If there are any committee members reading this, we must talk soon (again) about John. Ain’t many Maldonians — to my knowledge anyway — that have on their resume working with an ex-Beatle. Thanks for listening.
• Guess who turned the ripe young age of 40 last week? You are correct sir, Malden Parking Department’s boy wonder, Ernie Ardolino! A surprise party at Hugh O’Neill’s thrown by little sister Elena caught young Ernie really by surprise, as told by the gobsmacked expression on his face! First hug went to his cousin Matt (Gennetti), then to little sis, then to every pretty girl within a 50-yard radius! Stay young, my friend! Enjoy your forties!
• My heart sank as I opened the email from old friend Dickie Santo informing me that another Edgeworth icon had passed away. Dawn (Foley) was an absolute joy and if you’d ever been to Donut Villa or Papa’s Bar & Grille in the past 30 or so years, you certainly knew Dawn! A presence to be reckoned with, her kind words and friendly smile were always a pleasure to behold. She adored my father, and my father just adored Dawn. Rest peacefully, my old friend.
• The good folks at Donut Villa where she last worked have chimed in: “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beloved Dawn. She was more than a coworker, she was family. Her warmth touched everyone who walked through our doors, and her laugh was truly contagious. We all loved her deeply, and we will forever remember the joy, kindness, and light she brought into Donut Villa every single day.”
• Speaking of NB… Happy 83 spins around sun to Lisbon Street’s most famous son, Norman “Spirit in the Sky” Greenbaum.
• Speaking of Dana Brown, I sat with Dana and a group of other outstanding Maldonians at the Malden High School Sports Hall of Fame Banquet last Saturday night. What a night we had — Dana filling in the blanks on every single person in the hall (and beyond). More on the banquet at the later date.

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — in case you’ve been in a coma for the past month or so, Billy Settemio passed away recently at age 68 years young. The number 68 is meaningless when it came to Billy because he was ageless. Billy was one of those rare souls who stayed young at heart his whole life (with that still great moss). To many Maldonians, he wasn’t just Billy Settemio — he was affectionally called “Uncle Billy,” the human spark plug from Wellington Street who could turn a quiet room into a celebration just by walking through the door and, more often than not, buying a round for the house (true story cuz I been on the receiving end many times!) LOL. Billy had that rare gift: the steady hand you could lean on and the warm smile that told you he remembered not just your face, but your story (at times it may have seemed he wasn’t listening, but he was — insert smiley face).

In recent years, Billy and the love of his life Michele carved out a second life under the Naples sun. And in classic Billy Settemio fashion, it didn’t take long before their quiet getaway turned into another bustling circle of goombahs! Malden expats and strangers alike quickly became family, as they always seemed to be around him and his outsized personality. Community didn’t happen to Billy; he created it wherever he went. That ain’t no bull sugar either!

But for all the friendships, laughs, and late-night (tall) tales (and otherwise), Billy’s heart always beat the loudest for one thing: family. His brother Dommy, Michele, his children, his grandchildren. Each one was a planet in the small but mighty universe he tended to with pride. Many called him “Uncle Billy,” sure, but the title that made him stand a little taller, smile a little wider, was the one whispered by the smallest hands: “Papa.” Boy oh boy, did he love his grandchildren!!

Billy Settemio lived his life exactly the way Maldonians hope their own stories will be told someday: with unwavering loyalty to his many, many friends, a smile that could thaw the coldest night on the IACC bocce court and a love huge enough to fill every room long after he left it (no matter how big the room/hall was!). No fake news here!

—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.