~ Malden Musings ~ Joe Zaia Remembered

By Peter Levine

In the “wish you didn’t have to leave us when you did” department, I bring to you Mary Jane Zaia Sears: “Your column, mostly about the happenings in Malden in 1972 really hits home with me cause my late father, Joe Zaia, collapsed and passed away right in the 3rd base coaching box at Ferryway Green during one of his Babe Ruth games! It was on May 13, the day before Mother’s Day! He was the manager of the Padres and many of the young men you mentioned were on his team! Steve Carpenter, John Stanasek, and John LoPresti played on his team! That day many of the 13, 14, & 15-year-old players on both teams were forced by the circumstances to grow into young men! The Padres were in 4th place that sad day, but by the end of the season they ended up as the champions! Each and every member, along with their interim coaches and manager, played their hearts out to deliver such a great tribute and honor in memory of my father! My family and I will always be grateful to each and every one of them and my father will ‘always be loved…forever be missed…and will never be forgotten!’ We didn’t live in Edgeworth, but we did go to Saint Peter’s and my mother always worked the Saint Rocco’s Feast and in the early 50’s my father climbed to the top grease pole and did get the prize! Oh, and yes, my mother threw his clothes in the barrel!! I live in South Florida now and my parish church runs a fantastic festival (the best down here) but there still is nothing like Saint Rocco’s and the meaning that will stay with all of us forever! God Bless!”

Malden Musings Redux: Representative Paul Donato is straight outta Compton, oops, I mean Medford. But make no mistake, he is one of Malden’s best friends. Has been since “goodness knows when” (Three Stooges catchphrase). He knows all the local characters, the landscape and the Malden flava from Robinson’s News to the Irish American Club. And, of course, he knows where all the best restaurants are (and where a few bodies are buried also – I kid)! In all seriousness, when it comes to doing the right thing, Mr. Donato checks off all the right boxes. Constituents he reps in Malden and our Thanksgiving Day archrival, Meffa, vote him in year after year after year because he is always on the right side of the issue. Renewable energy? Check. Keeping children safe? Check. Fighting for veterans? Check. Taylor Swift fan? Check. Adores puppies? Check. (I made the last two up!) This election Paul would give his left arm (and that still great head of hair) to continue to serve the good folks of Malden and Medford.

You know him as a public servant who always fights the good fight. Let’s get to know Paul the person, just a little itty bit more. You wanted the best!? You got the best! Ten questions for one of the hardest working men in show biz…

1. Where would you most like to buy a one-way ticket to? “Sicily!”
2. What person, alive or dead, would you like to eat dinner with? “Abraham Lincoln.”
3. What’s one song to play to put yourself in a good mood? “‘It’s Impossible’ by Perry Como.”
4. What is the one piece of advice that most changed your life? “Be true to yourself.”
5. What one piece of advice would you give your younger self? “Reach for the stars.”
6. What’s the one thing that keeps you motivated? “Being able to help people.”
7. What’s the one thing you want to be remembered for? “Helping to improve the lives of children in the foster care system.”
8. Malden is a small, vibrant community with, by any standard of measurement, a bright future. You’ve represented Malden for a long time. Through good and not so good times. With the influx of new eateries, new residents, a forward-looking administration in City Hall led by Mayor Christenson and his staff, the removal of the “Beast That Ate Pleasant Street” and the ongoing “transit-oriented development” centered around the Orange Line – what is YOUR vision for Malden and the downtown area, in say, five years? “I’m really excited about what’s happening in Malden, especially downtown. I foresee additional residential and business development, as well as many new restaurant opportunities. My vision is to upgrade and rehabilitate the Malden Train Station to accommodate those who will take advantage of the indicated opportunities. In addition, I’m excited that I assisted in the city in acquiring the old Malden Courthouse that hopefully will be transformed into an Arts and Cultural Center.”
9. Malden has long been known for its outstanding eateries, delis and bakeries. What was your go-to place in the past? What is your go-to place today? “My old go-to was Pasta Market and my current favorite is All Seasons Table.”
10. What one thing would people be surprised to learn about you? “I spent eight years in two foster homes as a foster child.”

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – I mentioned a couple of weeks back how this past June 4th might possibly go down as one of the saddest days in the history of Malden. As a longtime Maldonian, it certainly was the most upsetting day in my life. But my family got here in 1963, which happens to be the year Patrolman Eddie Callahan was killed while on duty. A day that will live in Malden infamy – the saddest day in recent memory. I do not remember that dark day, but Carl Chimi does: “Peter, you mention the death of Officer Ed Callahan. I was actually there on September 14th when the shooting happened. I was ten years old and lived on Sterling Street, opposite the end of Stadium Road. My mother sent me to the A&P. I distinctly remember swinging on the metal rod they used to push the shopping carts against. As I was doing that the robbery had begun, but I was completely unaware of it. I left the store. As I did a police car came roaring up Pearl Street and slammed to a stop right in front of me. Two officers jumped out of the car. I remember it happening, but I was a kid who lived largely in my own head, so I paid little attention. I walked across the street toward Elmwood Pharmacy, then past the cobbler’s and Wendell’s Barber Shop. As I passed the restaurant next to Wendell’s I heard a zip! sort of sound behind my head but kept walking. When I got home less than ten minutes later, my mother was frantic. The shooting was apparently already on the radio. Except for a few vague impressions, I was completely unaware it was happening. I know the [expletive deleted] who shot Officers Callahan and [George] Hood were chased toward Elm Street by a middle-aged man, who beat the [expletive deleted] out of him. Later I saw the bullet hole in the restaurant window; that must have been the zip sound I heard. I’ve always been personally glad that I was so inside my head and didn’t actually witness the shooting. As it was, I was still badly traumatized for a long time afterward. I was a Junior Police member; I idolized police officers. I kept thinking I could have done something – like throwing tomato paste cans at the robbers – to save the officers. My part in the event – an oblivious 10-year-old probably thinking about Batman comic books – was so minor, yet still traumatic. I have often thought of the trauma of the officers’ families. I wish I could tell them that the two officers are in my memory for the way they jumped fearlessly out of their car and ran towards the danger I wasn’t even aware of. I remember them as heroes, even though I only saw them for a second or two.” Carl, you have made Malden proud with this heartfelt account of that horrific day and I am pretty sure the Callahan family will feel the same way. Thank you.

Postscript 1: Time remains undefeated…weeks after his passing Malden is still mourning the deep loss of Bob Rotondi. His impact on thousands of lives, immeasurable. We were fortunate to have Bob in our lives for so long. We live with his memory, that way he lives on – “as long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us; as we remember them.”

Postscript 2: Fifty-five years ago, today – June 28, 1969 – marks the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City.

—Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate and can be reached at Pe*****@*ol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms.