THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 3, 2019 Page 3 CELEBRATES | FROM PAGE 1 suff ered a painful loss last June when Alex passed away at age 21. To help cope with that loss, Mayor Gary Christenson and Ward 5 Councillor Barbara Murphy joined forces to create a lasting tribute to Alex by renaming Forestdale Park in his honor, a project that won unanimous support from the Public Works Commission. At Sunday’s dedication ceremony, the crowd cheered as Alex’s parents, Penny and Gerald, unveiled an engraved granite stone that officially launched a new era at Forestdale with the Alex Gentile Memorial Park. Chiseled under the park’s new name is the epitaph, Challenger Baseball Allstar, just one of Alex’s many accomplishments and contributions to the community. “Having a park named after Alex to give him a lasting legacy – it’s incredible,” said Gerald Gentile. “We don’t have words for it.” Alex grew up in the Ward 5 neighborhood and went to school at Forestdale, where he fell in love with sports and particularly with baseball. He was a member of Malden’s fi rst Challenger Baseball team which, back in 2007, was known as the Malden West Little League Challenger program. Today, Malden’s team is part of the Massachusetts District 12 Challenger Division and they are headed to the Little League World Series, where they will play a Challenger Division Exhibition Game. walker. “Sometimes he would play, and sometimes he would sit and watch and cheer on his teammates” she said. That was Alex, a person who to Boston and he would always laugh and chat with everyone along the way. People were his joy. He was our joy.” At Malden High, Alex was known as a guy who could light up a room just by being there. An avid Malden High sports fan, he cheered endlessly at school sporting events. A member of the graduating class of 2015, he was crowned Honorary Mr. Malden High School at the end of his senior year. Other students depended on him for his ability to make any day a better day. The Gentiles are committed to keeping Alex’s spirit alive and at work among the many friends, acquaintances and people he hardly knew but loved anyway. They have started an Alex Gentile Memorial scholarship fund, and Team Alex will compete in the city’s upcoming Special Olympics. Now, the Alex Gentile Memorial Park will become a real and lasting symbol of Alex’s legacy. “It’s amazing how much the community has come together for him – our friends, people in Malden, everyone who knew him – it’s just amazing,” said Penny Gentile. Alex Gentile, with his father, Gerry, gets ready to play ball at a Challenger League baseball game. “Alex started out playing in his wheelchair,” recalled Penny Gentile, who added that he eventually took his place on the fi eld with the help of his was naturally drawn to others and genuinely happy to share some conversation and company. “He loved people,” said Penny Gentile. “We would go ~ Political Announcement ~ Stephen Winslow announces his Re-election Bid for Councillor at Large I am committed to continuing have been honored to serve as one of Malden’s three Councillors at Large these past two years. One key thing I have learned is that having a successful City Council term is really a team eff ort. The Council, with the help of Mayor Christenson and his staff , have accomplished much together these past two years. We have moved Malden Forward together. I am pleased to announce that I will be seeking re-election to a 2nd term in the Fall. By pursuing a second term, my continued focus will be on “Achieving More Together”. I the eff ort to protect our seniors, youth and other vulnerable residents. We will build on the actions the Council has taken to lower the City-wide speed limit to 25 MPH and channel nearly one-half million dollars to improve the accessibility of our sidewalks. We will work to implement the “Complete Streets” policy that the Mayor and Council adopted that ensures safe and accessible streets no matter what your age, mode of transport, or ability. “Complete Streets” and eff orts to improve sustainable transportation such as bus, subway and bicycle travel will be a way we link our community rather than dividing it with walls of traffi c. I am pleased that the Mayor has responded to my call to hire a transportation planner and for a 5-year plan to fi x our streets and expedite the removal of lead water pipes. For day-to-day living, we will support our hard-working residents who organize and insist on fair wages and benefi ts, even in the face of lockouts or strikes. We will as a community continue to fund and support eff orts to address the devastating impact the Opioid Crisis has both on individuals and their families and friends. I will continue my commitRE-ELECTION | SEE PAGE 17 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family In House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today
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