~ Malden Musings ~ Saint Rocco 2024 On My Mind

By Peter Levine

Every San Rock weekend, the original 1929 Rocco statue sits in Vinnie Della Gatta’s bay window on Pearl Street. Not far from the original, the 2024 replacement has found a new home when he isn’t displayed the second weekend in August on the streets of Edgeworth. Next time you’re walking, running or driving down Pearl Street on your way to Pisa Pizza or to watch an athletic event at Macdonald Stadium, take a moment as you pass the Italian American Citizens’ Club (121 Pearl St.) and look up. There he is in all his loving glory and splendor, San Rocco himself (albeit the second?). Displayed in the bay window of the Club, looking down on his faithful pilgrims, showering his love and benediction on all who pass by – also making sure there are no shenanigans going on at the bocce court.

They say tradition dies hard; we know that for the truth in Edgeworth where the Saint Rocco Feast is going on 10 decades strong. The “Unofficial Mayor of Edgeworth,” Dom Fermano, put into words what many of us who grew up in Edgeworth feel in our hearts: “It is important not to forget the memories that you have made through your lifetime and to share them with your family and friends so that they stay alive. The memories of the Saint Rocco Feast remind me of the happiness and simple life we had as youngsters; the close-knit community of Edgeworth, especially during the Feast when all came together as one; the sadness of seeing the elderly shed a tear when praying to San Rock for his help and guidance. It is also a reminder of Saint Peter’s Parish and its many achievements. To not hold reverence for this Feast, in my opinion, would be a great injustice to those families, friends and relatives who are no longer with us. It keeps alive the Italian heritage brought to this country by these Edgeworth families over these many years.”

Like expat Nick Gizzi, growing up in Edgeworth, we feel we have learned a great deal of life lessons. Lessons that have helped us through our journeys thus far: cool stuff, such as pride, loyalty and most importantly never, ever forgetting where you came from; but most of all, family first. To the loved ones no longer with us who are looking over us, this one’s for you! With that said, in loving memory (a very partial list) of those who came before us …

• Phil Longo
• Eddie Trabucco
• Nancy Cagno
• Eddie “The Greek” DiGiantommaso
• Anthony “Papa Tony” Spadafora
• Dorothy Drago Levine
• Lucille Spadafora
• Jimmy Palermo
• Joan & Tony Pisaturo
• Eleanor & Frank Molinari
• Laura Damiano
• Robert Ultrino
• Beverly Settemio

It is said in “Malden Musings”…

• “Sherman, set the Wayback Machine to…” As reported by The Malden Advocate of 1985, “Malden This Week” on March 28: “All-American ‘Kitten’ Callahan aka Lady Godiva…During the NCAA Swimming and Diving championships held earlier this month at Justus Aquatic Center in Orlando Florida, Malden’s Kathleen ‘Kitten’ Callahan, in the 3-meter diving competition, finished 7th out of 47 of the best divers in the nation, qualifying for the prestigious ‘All-American’ award. Amazingly, Kathleen suffered a serious rib injury competing at Yale University last November, but despite the injury, she qualified for the national competition at the New England meet held in Springfield Mass where a score of 390 points must be reached in eleven dives. Kathleen’s score at the NCAA meet was 406.40. Kitten is the daughter of Peggy and Paul Callahan and is a junior at the University of Maine.”
• Kit calls Williamstown home these days, worked as a diving coach at Williams College, is Billy Callahan’s niece, is married to John (Koch), has a daughter Annie, a stepson named Chris, and a granddaughter Blake. Hope you’re well, Kitten! By the way, miss your brother Richie every single day.
• Discovering all the unique nooks and crannies as we walk the streets of Malden during our twice-a-week morning constitutions, my brother Joe and I discovered possibly one of the most distinctive houses in Malden. Across the street from Tommy Stein’s old house at 121 Avon St. is a one-of-a-kind mini castle. Slate roof, copper gutters, custom stained glass, turrets and – from what I have read – an “incredible cathedral master suite with skylights, exposed beams, and sliders!” Beautifully maintained landscaping on a quiet neighborhood street in Edgeworth? Fuhgeddaboudit!
• Salemwood Custodial Engineer Jimmy Tucker and his wife Jean (Pisaturo) in the Controller’s Office, please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your beautiful mother Song Cha Tucker. Didn’t know your mom, Jimmy, but looking at the collection of photos at the funeral home I could see she led a wonderful life surrounded by a loving family. May her memory be a blessing, my friends.

Apropos of the Saint Rocco Feast…

• The Feast means many things to countless people. Communal for some, spiritual for others, it holds timeless childhood memories and traditions that for many of us shaped our adult lives. The tight-knit community of Edgeworth taught old country customs of family, neighborhood and friendship (as well as some old country parental guidance) as the cornerstone of our lives.
• For MPD Commissioner “Butchie” Gennetti, the weekend brings back memories of his father, Salvatore, who sold lamb skewers at the Festa. He would place young Sal in his bassinet as a child and offer skewers of lamb to the Rocco crowd – making sure young Salvatore got his fair share of lamb.
• For Saint Rocco President Joyce Mover memories of her grandfather, Joe Smarrella, who lived at the “50-yard line of the Feast” at 271 Pearl St. and the moment in years past when the Saint would make its grand entrance being carried out of the old Saint Peter’s Church.
• To Saint Rocco Society member Dom Fermano, it brings back memories of his father, Tony, and how in 1974 his dad prayed that he could make it to one last Feast. Through shear faith he made it to Aug. 5, 1975, and was buried on that Saturday of Saint Rock weekend.
• Joyce sums up the weekend like this: “For one weekend every year Edgeworth is the piazza of Malden, the gathering place for the whole city of Malden. We look forward to our 94th anniversary in 2024. We hope everyone will come down and experience the “Saint Rocco Magic.” Viva San Rocco!”

Malden, beyond Edgeworth…one outstanding Malden hoopster of yesteryear I overlook is Dave Slaine. Dave was 1978 Malden High School Class, 6^th man as a junior, and varsity Co-Captain as a senior.

Playing three years at MHS, Dave was a key contributor coming off the bench as a junior, spelling the likes of future Hall of Famers John Furlong and Shawn Brickman (“giving a shot of energy,” as teammate Furgie mentioned to me). His consistent play as a junior gave Coach (Jack) Schlagel enough confidence to name Dave captain as a senior along with Eric Dannenberg (stats unavailable, books lost to the ages – possibly 8 ppg from what reliable sources have told me).

As a ninth grader at Beebe, Dave was the starting quarterback. A hip injury sidelined him for the season. Doctors told him he would never play contact sports again. Three short years later he was co-captain at MHS – leading the Greater Boston League in scoring with 18.5 ppg.

According to reliable sources, the scorebooks from those years are lost. I am guesstimating Dave had 500+ points scored for his three-year career – culminating in a stellar senior year on a very young team rebuilding from losing two all-stars the previous year.

Dave played two seasons at Clark U before the hip injury finally took its toll. Dave moved to Manhattan after school to pursue a career in finance. From Smith Barney to Morgan Stanley to becoming a partner at Galleon Hedge Fund to starting his own firm in 2001 – successful in every endeavor. Dave lives happily with his wife and daughter in Delray Beach, Florida, these days, but he will always call Malden home.

On a side note, Dave’s success in business has allowed him to make generous financial contributions to Malden organizations and entities that are near and dear to his heart. His love for Malden has not been relegated to contacting Joe Levine for the latest box score. Dave has been very magnanimous with contributions to the Malden Recreation Department, Malden Intramural Sports and the Golden Tornado Club.

Dave is in my own personal Hall of Fame (still working on the MHS HOF). He’s been a great friend over the years and his love for Malden and his childhood in Malden are still held close to his heart, even from 1,452 miles away.

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – as we approach the 94th Annual Feast of Saint Rocco (Aug 9-11), we take time to recall how blessed we are to keep this tradition of ours alive for these many years. When a group of Italian immigrants living in Edgeworth assembled for the first time in 1929, it was to honor a tradition they brought with them from their homeland of Italy. We often think how proud they would be to know that their memory is alive and well in 2024. The spirit of San Rocco lives in our hearts, this gives us the strength to carry on the tradition of our forefathers. Mille grazie, many thanks to all of you for being part of the San Rock Festa tradition and supporting us throughout the years. Please join us once again on August 9 through 11 for “The Feast”! The greatest event in the city of Malden for over 90 years!

Postscript 1: Of course, Dave makes my top Malden Jewish hoopsters from the past 60 years list: Dave Slaine; Jackie Maltzman; Joe Levine; Harvey Nadler; Irwin Zalko; Charlie Conefrey; Shawn, Keith & Jonathan Brickman; Scott Solomon & Barry Alman.

Postscript 2: Francis K. Brown. “As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us; as we remember them.” Jewish Prayer. TBC…

—Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate and can be reached at PeteL39@aol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms.