~ Malden Musings ~ Recreation Director Joe Levine’s Milestone Birthday

By Peter Levine

This little article is landing well after big brother Joe blew out the candles on his (mumble, mumble) milestone birthday. Longtime readers already know how much I love and respect my brother Joe — but let me spell it out again. He’s worn just about every hat in my life: role model, mentor, protector, coach and influencer back when those words actually meant something.

From my very first Saint Rock Festa in 1967, to disco nights at New York, New York on Route 1 in ’77, to our one-on-one, knock-down-drag-out hoop battles at Devir Park in ’87, all the way to him nagging me in the 2020’s to “get those steps in” — Joe has been there, step by step, year after year.

And Joe? He’s never just been around — he’s been larger than life in SO many people’s lives. Leader of the pack. Sharp-dressed man. Fierce athlete. Devoted dad. Party starter. Original gangster of Edgeworth/Devir & Amerige Park. Mentor to an entire generation of Malden kids who were lucky enough to cross his path.

So, here’s to you, Joe Levine. I salute you. Malden salutes you. And the countless friends you’ve touched salute you, too. Happy Birthday, Chills — still cool after all these years.

It is said in “Malden Musings”…

• Good Lord Almighty! Happy 59 turns around the sun to the ageless wonder himself, Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt! You look marvelous, said in my best Fernando Lamas/Billy Crystal voice!
• Did anybody catch the MTV Video Music Awards tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne a couple weeks back? Nobody? Me neither but I did catch the highlights with breakout star Yungblud ripping it up like it ain’t nobodies bizness! An amazing electrifying rock and roll performance with none other than adopted Malden home-boy (from the band Extreme via Hudson, Mass.) Nuno Bettencourt showing the music world at large what we already knew: that he is the baddest guitar slinger in the 2025 rock world and a wicked good kid! Way to go, Nuno!
• Speaking of Nuno… Mr. Bettencourt wrote the iconic Market Basket/Gerry Centrella Dentist hit “More Than Words” with his partner in crime Gary (Cherone) on the front stoop of Gary’s boyhood home on Highland Avenue; played many games of hoop at Little Pearl with the neighborhood hoods (he wasn’t bad either btw — tough to cover cuz he was so fast) and ate many hearty meals with us at Pearl Street Restaurant when it was located on the corner of Charles and Pearl (and back when Nuno was a carnivore — insert smiley face)! Nuno, your adopted home of Maldonia is very proud of you. All the best (always) in the future!
• Sincerest condolences go out to Malden City Solicitor Alicia McNeil on the loss of her 101-year-old dad, Oscar Lee McNeil. “Our deceased are never gone to us, until we have forgotten them.” “Malden Musings” remembers Mr. McNeil. Our thoughts are with you and your family, Ali.
• The September 9 City Council Meeting was interesting theater. Gleaned from that session: Joe Levine and Laura Perez do an excellent job at the Recreation Dept. The M.V.C.S. buys up properties and maintains them well. Ward 2 Councillor Paul Condon is still sharp as a tack. Another fave of mine — Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe (looking shell-shocked) — sitting between Councillor (Steve) Winslow and Councillor (Jadean) Sica as they exchanged their “viewpoints.” Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora’s moss stood out (as well as his many cogent and incisive comments). Last, but certainly not least, Council President Amanda Linehan and City Clerk Carol Ann Desiderio continue to impress in their governmental roles.
• On a recent Friday morning walk around the Edgeworth neighborhood, big brother Joe and I paid homage at the PFC John F. Waden Memorial (KIA Nam 1966) at Fells and Charles Street, the SSGT Albert N. Spadafora (KIA World War II 1944) at 218 Pearl St., the LT Anthony J. Sestito Memorial (KIA Nam 1969) at West and Medford, the SGT. Joseph J. Lumino Memorial Square at Highland and Oakland (World War II Bronze Star) and the PFC Kevin R. Crowe Memorial (also KIA Nam 1969) at Whitman and Russell. Thank you, gentlemen, “Malden Musings” will always remember you.
• Charlotte Fishtine, 96, of Malden, formerly of Natick. May her memory be a blessing.
• What’s the buzz, tell me what’s a happenin’… Did you know that Malden Traffic Commission member Diego “The Rated-R Superstar” Barricelli was a big Amy Winehouse fan? Neither did I until recently (who knew Dickie was that hip?!). Love ya, Dickie!
• Best of luck to Malden High football coach Witche Exilhomme and Golden Tornado captain Jayden McGuffie as they lead the 2025 squad into action. Reports out of the 621 Tavern & Grille on Broadway point to a team that’s been putting in the work, and there’s a growing buzz (right, Panama?) that this year’s group could restore some shine to the storied MHS program. With Exilhomme’s steady hand and larger than life presence on the sideline and McGuffie’s leadership on the field, expect the Tornadoes to bring both grit and pride back to Pearl Street.
• According to organizers of the IA Labor Day Road Race (thank you Brian Killion), they had quite a colorful field of runners this year. A search through the roster of runners trying to track some of the older runners showed some amazing individuals. Turns out they had five runners north of 80! Dick Lynch stopped for a moment in front of me, Joe and Dana Brown and proclaimed he was five days short of 90! He finished 155th in the 5K division and appears to be the oldest runner. More digging gave us the octogenarian club of Mike Cassidy at 85, John Grant at 81, John Hurley at 80 and Patricia Ryan at 84 years young. Thank you again, Irish American Club, for the invaluable work you folks do! Applause line here.
• To my dear friends at the Irish American (Chris M., Billy H., Brian K., Dan G.), I am still on the hunt for any Ballantine Ale stragglers that may be lurking in forgotten beer chests at the Club. Thanks in advance. LOL.
• Rest in peace, Amerige Park legend Kenny McLean. A U.S. Army veteran, Kenny served a tour in Vietnam from 1969-1971. For that, Kenny, we are eternally grateful. The Pine Street McLeans were one of the most beloved families to call Amerige home back in the day.
• The sole purpose of the Golden Tornados Booster Club for Malden High School Athletics is to raise money to support MHS Student Athletes. With that said they are always looking for new members (and your gelt). Gold Card Membership at $30, Student Gold Card at $10 and the General Membership also at $10. The Gold Card gets you admission to all regular-season home games for MHS Football and Basketball games (except the T-Giving Day game). Contact Jeannie Marquardo or MHS AD Charlie Conefrey for information on how to join. So, let’s go, all you former Golden Tornadoes! Join early and often!
• Sufferin’ succotash! I had such a good time at my 50th high school reunion this past Saturday night! The reunion committee is spearheaded by the man that still wears skinny jeans and has never, ever forgotten his working-class Malden roots — despite becoming a “captain of industry” after graduating Princeton — a dude I proudly call friend and confidante, Steve Freker’s big brother, Jack. Freck, we love you and are forever indebted to you for taking the lead and making this the best reunion the Class of ’ 75 ever had. To a person, all were delighted in the festivities.
• Public Facilities MVP, Donna’s adoring husband and the guy who single-handedly made Jimmy “Who” Cahill look good when he toiled at Forestdale Cemetery — Dave Angelo — contacted me after he read my Steve “The Say Hey Kid” Winslow article to let Steve and I know that 100 pizzas made in a night will get you a “good job, Steve” from the peanut gallery. But in Dave’s heyday at the Highland Café, on a busy Friday night (of which there were many), he would warm up with 100 pizzas on the way to 500. Not bragging, Dave says, “just saying.” Insert smiley face.
• Hot diggity dog! Do yourself a favor and catch Malden High School all-purpose everything on the football field, Jayden McGuffie, play the game of football like (just about) nobody else who has ever suited up for the Golden Tornadoes. He runs the field like Johnny Salmon, catches the ball like Carmine Cappuccio, hits hard like Dave Moulton and sells hot chocolate at the halftime intermission. Ya, I exaggerate a tad but seriously — this kid can play!

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — in the “damn, it feels good to be a gangsta” department… Butch Russell Redux: He’s Butch Russell, and attention, Maldonia — we are not! A Meffa guy by birth (please don’t hold it against him), Butchie has logged so many decades of “social hours” in Malden that he’s basically been knighted into Maldonia Townie royalty. These days, he even calls M-Town home! So yes, gabba gabba hey, he really is one of us!

From learning the “law of the land” slinging drinks at the old Stadium Café/Bambino’s, to earning the rare honor of a barstool named in his honor at the Italian American Citizen’s Club, Butch has managed the impossible: He’s endeared himself to both Maldonia’s highbrow elite (Dom & Sheila Fermano) and the lowbrow legends (Dick Barricelli) who give this city its grit and charm.

I remember his Stadium Café/Bambino’s days behind the stick. Hollywood handsome — a cross between David Niven and John Leslie (if you know, you know LOL), Butch would work that room like a (expletive deleted) champ. He could sling them with the very best, and on his work night he drew crowds two and three deep (mostly women!), making his employers and patrons very, very happy.

So, the next time you bump into Butch, don’t just nod, smile and mutter “Hey, how ya doin’?” —Thank the proud Marine for his service to our country (though truthfully, we could never repay that debt — that ain’t no bull sugar either). Or better yet, do what Butch would really appreciate: buy the man a frosty of his choice. Here’s to you, Butch — you’re the man, the myth(?) and the legend. Love ya, dude.

Postscript: Save the date for Sunday, October 5, at 1 p.m. at Anthony’s on Canal Street for the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (Mass. Chapter) Induction Ceremony. This year’s inductees? Outta sight, man! UMass shortstop, Augustine A’s icon and San Diego Padres farmhand Joe DiSarcina; Xavierians’ football Head Coach and sideline general Al Fornaro. And the very first Tony DeMarco “The Champ” Award will be going to none other than the man, the myth, the coaching legend from Everett to Catholic Memorial, Maldonia arch nemesis John DiBiaso. Tickets at $60 are hotter than fresh zeppole so buy early and often! Call Pearl Street Restaurant’s Paul “Best Words” Solano at 617-240-4130 or Dave “The Devir Park Demon of the Diamond” Caiazzo at 781-507-3005 before they sell out.

—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.