~ Malden Musings ~ Dave Pashoian Hall of Fame Bound?

By Peter Levine

There is a question being asked from the Mid-Atlantic’s Potomac River all the way to the Malden River: Why isn’t Dave Pashoian in the MHS Golden Tornado Sports Hall of Fame? Reliable sources (his brother Norman, who lives not far from the Potomac) reminded me recently that Dave Pash has nine varsity letters for basketball, baseball and golf; three-year starter in baseball and a two-year starter in basketball (with significant playing time as a sophomore). Dave was captain of the hoop and golf teams and a GBL All-Star in B-ball his senior year. Throw into the mix that he’s on the all-time assist list — according to them that know — and his entry into the HOF should be a slam dunk. I played hoop with Dave’s two older brothers — Mark & Norm — both outstanding players and key contributors to the MHS hoop team during their playing years (mid 70s). I watched Dave play high school hoop and most times he was the most dominant player, clocking in at 5′ 9″ at the most. I also played hoops with Dave post high school and there were few better; always a very tough cover and a point of pride to try to contain him. Dave comes from a long line of outstanding ball players that grew up in the Linden area. A worthy candidate in my (sometimes) humble opinion.

Speaking of the Pashoians, Dave’s big brah Norm reached out to me last week to contribute to the hockey players of past Maldonia obsession kick I’ve been on lately. Take it away Norm: “A voice from the past wishes to share with you the Pash family’s connection to Malden hockey. My dad, Norm Jr., and his brothers Eddie and Warren, would skate from their house onto Huntington Field’s frozen tundra. Linden Park at that time also housed an outdoor ring. Norm eventually played for the Tornado hockey team but dropped off due to a knee injury (perhaps his sophomore year). My sister holds a team picture from that period. Jimmy Murphy’s dad, Dennis ‘Red’ Murphy, was also on the team at that time (43-44). Warren skated first line for the Tornados for 3 seasons. Future Olympian Richard [Rodenhiser] was his teammate for one or two seasons. He was an All-Eastern Mass all-star at least once or perhaps twice.” Wonderful, Norman, thank you! Hope to see you at the 50th Class Reunion later in the year.

In 2013, Norm Pashoian (patriarch of the family) hung up his bellman’s cap after an astonishing 66 years of service at the legendary Taj Hotel in Boston — once known as the Ritz Carlton. His career wasn’t just long; it was storied. Over the decades, Norm opened doors and carried bags for the giants of history: Ted Williams, Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio, Joe Kennedy Sr. and Jackie Onassis, to name a few. But perhaps his most important guest arrived in 1950 — Claire, the woman who would become his wife. He met her on the job, at the hotel that would be his only employer, and she was unforgettable. Claire’s beauty was matched by a rare spark; if you never had the chance to know her, you missed something truly special.

The Pashoian legacy didn’t end with Norm and Claire — it was just getting started. Their four bambinos — Norman, Mark, Lisa and Dave — all graduated from Malden High with honors, with the boys adding their own shine to the city’s sports scene. Norman and Mark were fixtures at the Malden Y, sinking jumpers with swagger before their sacred post-hoop pilgrimage to Riley’s Roast Beef — a late-night rite of passage in Malden Square.

And then there’s Dave: a one-man varsity machine who racked up an eye-popping nine letters in just three years. He wasn’t just a student-athlete — he was a walking highlight reel, a strong contender for a spot in Malden’s athletic Hall of Fame.

And let’s not forget Lisa — graceful, brilliant and, frankly, the reason the “Pash Brahs” didn’t scare off every spectator. She brought beauty to the bleachers and poise to the proceedings. Danny, that’s said with all due respect (and a wink). The Pashoians didn’t just play sports, they became a beloved Malden family and still are.

It is said in “Malden Musings”…

• We get letters…from my main man with that pecan tan Timmy Bourque: “Hey Peter, just read your column. Awesome job as usual. Loved the bit about great Malden hockey players of days gone by. All those named are certainly worthy of Malden hockey royalty. But don’t forget my former Gale Street neighbor and longtime Malden Firefighter Jimmy Vazarkis. Jimmy is a great guy and an awesome athlete…. not only in hockey but in baseball/softball as well. Keep on writing, my friend. I should also mention that today April 25th would have been my brother Bobby (Tar) Bourque’s birthday.” Thank you, Timmy. “Malden Musings” will never forget your big brother and my classmate at MHS.
• One more State of the City comment (I promise): Congratulations (once again) to Pasquale Petrangelo’s niece, Communications Director Elaina Savino, on the yeoman behind-the-scenes effort she put in making this year something really special (in her very first try, I gotta note). The “Jeopardy!” theme? Wicked good!
• I’ll be the first to admit — hockey was never my sport. My good time pals can vouch for that; I could barely stay upright on skates. And to be honest, it was just too damn cold! But that didn’t stop me from becoming a die-hard fan of Bobby Orr and the Big Bad Bruins, or later (name drop alert) the Lyndon “LB” Byers/Cam Neely era. Those were the days — sweating through “businessman’s workouts” at the old Y before heading over to Cai’s Playoff Pub on Pearl Street to properly rehydrate with LB, Cam and the rest of the gang.
• I always forget (Edgeworth’s) Richie “Red” Howard, Joey Mayne, Bobby McCarthy, Buddy Lawler and Bobby Gallagher when I speak of hockey greats from yesteryear. Thanks to Frank “Always Looking for Malden Postcards” Levine for jolting my memory of these long ago but never forgotten skaters.
• The June 3rd City Council Meeting may eventually be known as the night Craig Spadafora cemented his place in the Maldonia Elected Officials Hall of Fame. Must-see TV!
• Malden Police Chief Glenn Cronin could not have said it any better honoring Officer Robert Selfridge on his retirement. Take it away, Chief G Crow: “your 27 years of devoted service to the MPD and the City of Malden have been a shining example of courage, honor, and dedication. As you retire, we honor your remarkable contributions and wish you and your family a long and joyful retirement.” Congratulations, Rob, and thank you for your service and for being a good guy.
• We get letters…this one from the stable genius with the very large “a brain” from Bowman Street, Kevin Larson: “Maldonians who have left a fingerprint on our beloved 02148. John Monte bon vivant of Devir Park and gate keeper of Malden’s crown jewel. Shy Donahue aka Mr. John St. Don Daley aka Mr. Emerald St./Mr. Hockey. Eddie Larson – Malden’s Mr. Baseball. Frank Adorn – MHS Varsity Baseball Coach, Malden City Club star for Ralph Wheeler (and his right-hand man). Malden Street Icon, his wife Elli – still the Gate Keeper on Malden St.”
• I loved Men Without Hats’ “Safety Dance” the first time I heard it in 1983 on WLYN, and I loved it last week when I heard it on 1510 WMEX! Who else?
• Steve Winslow and Jane Ventrone were kind enough to keep me in the loop about the Trafton Park reopening. They sent some great pictures, and I will be following up with Fran Mauriello soon for the inside scoop on some history at Trafton. Thanks again, Mr. Winslow.

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — I spent one of those rare, balmy Saturday mornings in April doing my best impression of a competent defender (Malden YMCA circa 1988 maybe?) — chasing my 15-year-old grandson Christian around the driveway as he blew past me for yet another uncontested left-handed lay-in. (Side note: It was a lot easier to cover him when he was four feet tall and more interested in juice boxes.) After getting thoroughly schooled, I retreated that evening to the familiar embrace of a cold Narragansett Lager (Hi Neighbor!) and the soothing glow of some YouTube comfort viewing. Thank the deity of your choice for YouTube Premium, am I right?

And wouldn’t you know it! I struck cinematic gold as I stumbled upon Playwright 56’s 1955 adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s “The Battler”, featuring a crazy young Paul Newman. But that’s not what made me sit up in my recliner. No sir! Who should appear on screen almost immediately, sharing credits with Hollywood royalty, but Malden’s very own Richard “Sonny” Collier — credited simply as “truck driver.”

Now, Sonny may not have been a household name (except maybe in his own), but he carved out a solid, if underappreciated, career as a Hollywood character actor — despite (from what I have been told) his wife reportedly never being all that impressed. He popped up in “Blazing Saddles,” “Snow White and the Three Stooges,” “Imitation of Life” (with Lana Turner, no less), and even made a splash as Otto Puffendorfer in the gloriously campy 1960s “Batman” TV series. That, my friends, earns him a well-deserved spot in the Maldonia Hall of Fame.

In “The Battler,” young Nick Adams — played by Dewey Martin — is out wandering the world, trying to figure himself out. He thumbs a ride and gets picked up by none other than Truck Driver Sonny. As Nick talks dreamily about his future, he nods off in the passenger seat. Sonny listens, nods along, smiles warmly… then casually lifts Nick’s last $30 right out of his pocket. The sly, mischievous glint in Sonny’s eye as he robs the poor kid blind? Worth the price of admission all by itself!

Postscript: Speaking of the McCarthys of Emerald Street…where loyalty runs deep and public service runs in the blood. This election season, Ward 2, do yourself and the students of Malden a favor: remember Rob McCarthy. The Ward 2 School Committee’s secret weapon, Rob’s been schooling the system with brains, heart and a laser focus on what matters most: kids, classrooms and community. He ain’t just showing up, he’s showing UP! Every time. His compass is true, and it points straight to the well-being of every student in this city.

By the way…Rob is stone-cold Malden! Football games at Macdonald Stadium, Saturday morning Little League at Devir Park and mid-August nights spent on Pearl Street at the San Rock Festa. And if you’re wondering where the magic comes from, you need not look any further than his father, Bobby McCarthy, Malden’s own political griot. The man’s a walking time capsule with a Rolodex for a brain and the storytelling chops of a front-porch legend. Call him the James Carville of Malden or call him the Bard of Ward 2 — but just know this, Maldonia: When Bobby talks, we listen! Heck, even the pigeons in Malden Square stop to listen. Sufferin’ Succotash, the man can spin a tale that’ll leave you laughing ‘til Tuesday (pun intended) and thinking ’til next week. Vote Rob McCarthy! Because in a city that’s forever evolving, it’s good to have leaders who remember where we’ve been — and know exactly where we need to go.

—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.