~ Malden Musings ~ Salvatore “Butch” Gennetti

By Peter Levine

Sadly, Malden’s Mount Rushmore has added two more giants. Joining trailblazing public official Herbert Jackson, City of Malden Clerk Karen “Superstar” Anderson, World War II hero/MFD Chief Jack Garrity and Bob “Mr. Malden Baseball” Rotondi, will be the two newest Malden heavyweights to be immortalized in stone: Sal Gennetti and Bill Dempsey. Butch writing the book and the blueprints on how and what community policing should look like first as a patrolman then as Commissioner and World War II hero and lifelong educator Bill Dempsey. Think of this for a moment: Almost 500 years of life between these legends of Malden, and I would bet my last dollar bill not once did their actions divide Malden; in their long, illustrious careers each individual putting the public good selflessly before themselves.

This one’s of you Butch, Malden’s best friend for 86 years… We are still in shock three weeks later. A world without Butch Gennetti don’t seem real. Butch was larger than life. The legend of Butchie Gennetti was drilled into our heads early in life. Sorta like learning your ABCs or how to count. There was Butch, it was his world (and neighborhood); we just lived in it.

My long journey with Butch began in 1973. The Devir Park 9 of the Ronny Cox–created Malden YMCA Outreach Softball League played the Malden Police Department at Pine Banks in a friendly exhibition game. Butchie was the Rico Petrocelli of the MPD, and it was so long ago, Butchie still had hair (jeans pulled up tight in Butchie’s trademark style even back in ’73)! Anyway, before the game my bestie – Jimmy Damiano – introduces me to Butch. He tells Butch that I grew up on the other side of Edgeworth, ergo, he doesn’t know the whole cast of characters yet. We laughed out loud (when people actually did laugh out loud); fast friends since.

So many Butch Gennetti stories, so little time. Every Friday night at the I.A.C.C., Butch would make it a point to stop and chat us up before his favorite time of the week (excluding bocce night, of course), when he would meet his beautiful daughters at the 621 on Broadway for dinner. Butch would regale us with tale after tale, many of which were preceded with, “Peter, you cannot print this in the paper” – each followed by a tale that was more humorous than the last. So many have shared their stories of love for Butch through social media, all fit for print in a family paper (LOL); here are but two:

• Daughter Maria: “Thank you to everyone who has reached out to honor this beautiful legend of a man. It has been an HONOR to be his daughter, and to be raised in such a loving, supportive family. As I search for the words to encompass my gratitude for my dad, all words fall short. If you knew Butchie, you understand what I mean. A larger-than-life presence with a kind heart. Always prepared to help anyone and everyone and expected nothing in return. It was the act of giving that made Butch truly happy. Well, that and dancing was a close 2nd! A man of service not only through his work as a police officer, but for everyone he loved, which were many! So, as we say goodbye to the strongest man that we’ve had the privilege of knowing and loving, please know that everyone’s support has been appreciated by our family!! We want to thank everyone for your love, prayers, support, and for sharing memories of him. To all of our family and friends who have been by our side throughout these past few days, thank you! We love you! I’d like to thank my 4 siblings who have been instrumental in helping my dad. Continuously by his side, caring for his every need. It’s truly an honor to be part of the Gennetti family!
• Nephew Rob DeMarco: “Salvatore ‘Butch’ Gennetti was a legend. Everyone knew him and everyone had a story. He was larger than life, in all the right ways. But he also knew how to enter into your circle with just the right touch, whether as a friend, family or leader. He was a police officer, serving alongside my grandfather John for many years. He was a politician, back when the school committee was city wide, and he ran for mayor. He was also a man of unique strength, wide talents and great humor. I have watched him play drums in the St Rocco procession. One time I witnessed him arrest a guy in the parking lot of Dom’s Sausage back in the early 90s. I happened upon the scene and the guy was panicked running. Butch was just walking slowly after him. Butch finally simply commanded the guy to stop and he did. I also have memories of his more unique appearances at family events from when I was very young (that may or may not have included interesting costume choices – if you know you know). In short, he was one of those unique individuals who, with equal facility, could command respect with just his voice or reduce an audience to fall down laughing with his infectious humor. The photo is from nine years ago when I had the privilege of having the extended Gennetti family at my home for a reunion. Our family has grown from its humble beginnings on Malden Street. We had over 100 family members show up. At the time, I had spent a few years in what might be mildly labeled a tense relationship with Uncle Butch. As I look back, I take responsibility for that tension and what caused it. Suffice it to say, I was worried he may not show. I was wrong and he came. I like this photo because it was also when he and I patched up our relationship. A true son of Malden and a lifelong public servant, his loss to our community is immense. As the youngest of 10 siblings and the last of their greatest generation, born and raised in Edgeworth, his loss to the family is immeasurable. As the father of 5 and grandfather of 3, his loss to my cousins and aunt is profoundly heartbreaking. My prayers for his family are that the enormous love and respect that he commanded be a source of comfort. I know he will not fade from our memory because his life was unforgettable. His like will not come this way again and I, for one, feel the enormous privilege of having known and loved him. God bless you Uncle Butch. Give my grandparents a hug for me. May perpetual light shine upon you as you enter into your reward.”

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – Butchie spent, literally, his entire existence in Edgeworth. First on Pearl Street then to 52 Malden St. as a teen, migrating up to Quincy Street when married, never really straying very far in his 86 years. I know from time to time I bore readers to tears with my incessant talk of Edgeworth. Ya know what, there aren’t too many columns like mine, so you have no choice but to continue to read (LOL). I sorta kid but if you grew up in Edgeworth you know of what I speak. In Malden, Ward 2 has defined neighborhood like no other. Butchie’s parents, Salvatore and Marianina (Radochia), recognized this, planted roots and raised their brood of 10 in that tiny slice of Italian/Irish community. Butch was enamored of this neighborhood. It defined who he was – family, friends and his Italian heritage – if you know, you know. Robert DiGiovanni knows: “I don’t think the geographical lines of Edgeworth can be accurately mapped out. It’s more a feeling of love deep in our hearts, for a place where we raised thousands of our sons and daughters. It’s a tradition more than a location, in our minds, of years past and present, of our parents, families, friends, and memories both good and bad, residing in this part of the world forever, we call Edgeworth.”

Postscript 1: As Don Mclean once sang, “The book of life is brief, and once a page is read, all but love is dead, that is my belief.” And so, another page has turned in the “Edgeworth Book of Life.” Butch’s funeral mass at the Immaculate was a sendoff for the ages. The pews were stuffed with old friends and family, with the MPD proudly showing up full force in their best MPD blues (cleaning up nicely, by the way). Close by bagpipes mourned gracefully for Butch while Judy Bionelli Doucette sat in the rafters and once again had the congregation in the palm of her hands, that gorgeous voice of hers offering solace and balm for the soul. Officer Sal Gennetti just killed it with his eulogy for his beloved pops mixing pathos deftly between classic Butchie vignettes on his famous father’s life story. Then, not a dry eye in my car as I drove to the cemetery with Judy’s communion hymn “How Great Thou Art” still ringing in my ears. The hearse – driven by loyal companion Malden Animal Control Officer Kevin Alkins – slowly drove by Quincy Street, where Butch threw some of the most legendary family block parties Malden has ever seen, then by Pearl Street for one last ciao to Saint Peter’s Church and his beloved Italian American Citizens’ Club. Butch’s final resting place: a sweet little spot as you enter the front gate on the left at Forestdale. Not far from goombahs like Jim Conway, Ed Norton, Pete Trabucco and Joe Croken – a quiet and peaceful location – perfect for Butch to get the gang back together for a glass of wine, the Boston Herald, a game of bocce and maybe one last dance before last call.

Postscript 2: On a personal note, Butch’s passing has been painful, especially for his dear old friend Dom Fermano – for all of us actually. It has been an extreme pleasure getting to really know Butch over the years. Our love of Edgeworth, the Italian American Citizens’ Club, the Saint Rocco Feast and his name consistently in my column had cemented that relationship through the years (LOL). But nothing compares to the joy we all derived from walking the Sunday Procession at the San Rock Festa with Butch (and believe me on this one – after many conversations, he loved his children and grandchildren very much). The pride he had for his neighborhood, his family, the MPD and the city of Malden itself was contagious and was an amazing experience to behold. The legend of Butch Gennetti will never die and will be recalled as long as we continue to gather together to keep that memory alive. Only time moves on to the next scene, memories remain in the heart forever. Viva Salvatore “The Purple One” Gennetti.

Postscript 3: Mums the word – stay tuned for big news about naming an iconic Edgeworth location after Butch.

Postscript 4: I’ll touch on Bill’s life in the future.

—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.