THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 1, 2019 Page 7 MALDEN: TODAY | FROM PAGE 4 puns to subtle wit – both on full display in his columns. I loved it! Thought they were incredibly clever. Here are just a scant few thumbnail sketches of this man’s extraordinary life by people who knew him best: Upon his passing another beloved educator and colleague of John’s (Marguerite Gonsalves, MHS English Department and Union leader) had these kind words to say: “You were already a legend at Malden High School when I came to work there. You were a unique, inspirational and kind colleague. Your love of words, both powerful and witty, changed the lives of so many forever. I was saddened when you left MHS, and I am, once again, saddened to know that you have left this mortal world. I sit here thinking of a pun, a witty phrase, or a quick retort that you might be saying to us all right now as we struggle to write what you meant to us. I am sure you could say it better or write it more eloquently. Thank you for making MHS a more enjoyable place to work; thank you for always making me smile. Rest in peace, dear mentor, in this fi nal act of an amazing play entitled ‘John O’Brien.’ With deepest sympathy to your family.” I played many games of hoop with his son Tommy at Devir and Amerige Parks as well as the glory days of YMCA. Tommy was a physical type of player. Much like Dana Brown they both played “wicked smaht” on the court. And when you got done playing ball against Tommy, you felt it! Tommy was kind enough to send along some reminisces of his pops: “From my dad’s 4th grandchild, my youngest, Alasdair (Obie) O’Brien. (Note: me and my children always called my dad ‘Pop’ which was his father’s nickname). From Alasdair: Once Pop and I went to the MFA to see a Hopper exhibit. And as we went through, he was inventing stories for all the lonely fi gures in the paintings. Melancholy and wistful. And then he said, ‘These paintings make me want to genufl ect,’ which wasn’t a word I knew at the time. And I’ve always appreciated, especially given his own history with faith, that I learned the word for kneeling in reverence in the context of great art.” Tommy: “For decades after I fi nished high school my father mailed me a weekly letter, written longhand, updating me on his life and that of the people around him. Later, and for the rest of his life, we spoke often on the phone. In those letters and conversations, he almost always mentioned one or more of his students who were working in the dramatic arts. It was a simple thing like, ‘so and so is perI’m mental.” “Once you meant it all. Now “She asked me to take her to the ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre.’ I told her to buzz off , I saw it.” “The fi rst three times, I came up smelling roses. The next time, I came up smelling Four Roses.” “This is the end, beautiful Shown from left to right are Cemetery Director Jimmy Cahill, Ward 5 Councillor Barbara Murphy, Arborist Rich Cartier and Jimmy Knox. (Courtesy Photo) forming here or there’ or who had published something, or whose work was being shown. He kept track of his former students’ artistic performance efforts and progress and he spoke in praise and with pride that students whose lives he may have infl uenced were persevering as adults in their chosen art. “He always told me, ‘take what you do best and do it every day.’ For my father that was writing.” Thanks Tommy. More “Musings” from the inimitable pen of the late John O’Brien, whose wit and wisdom endeared him to generations of Malden High School students, Maldonians and faculty at MHS. Here are a few more witticisms from his iconic “Musings” column taken Oct. 7, 1976, from the biweekly newspaper called the Malden Sun-Times (their motto: “In Malden For Good”): “So long, Valentine, hello Ballantine.” “April is the time to fall in love. October is the time to love the fall.” “Those funeral bells are breaking up that old gang of mine.” “My friend who doesn’t like Superman is down on the Cape.” “Local nostalgia fans will enjoy David Niven’s ‘Bring on the Empty Horses.’ Featured is a photograph of Phyllis Brooks on the grounds of William Randolph’s estate.” (My note: Phyllis was married to the Congressman Torbert Macdonald and lived in Malden at the time.) “Nothing could be fi ner to be an Orange Liner in the morning.” “When my sugar’s looking pale, I wonder why Ginger ails.” “She hit me with a Fribble. That wasn’t very friendly.” For Advertising with Results, call The Acall The Advocatedvocate Newspapers Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@ advocatenews.net Easy! South Boston – Everett – Quincy – Seaport Federally insured by NCUA EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Subject to membership eligibility qualifications. NMLS ID #615913 1st Time Homebuyer Program Great, Versatile Options We Service Your Loan With you every step of the way, no one treats you as well as Mass Bay! See our GREAT rates or apply at massbaycu.org or call (617) 269-2700 friend, this is the end, my only friend, the end...” I am still recovering from the “Norman Greenbaum Night of Love” hangover I acquired on October 16, his tune “Spirit in the Sky” a sweet earworm in my head since that night. That memory isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. We showered him with love and he gave it right back. The veneration for our local hero spread far and Steve WINSL W Councillor at Large A Progressive Voice for Malden Working Families Endorsed by MA Progressive Alliance Our Revolution, Malden Greater Boston Labor Council Heat & Frost Insulators Local 6 MA & NE Laborer’s Council / Local 22 United Steel Workers: Local Gas Pipe Fitters Photo courtesy of Sandy Felder Please Remember to Vote Tuesday, November 5th (Paid Political Ad) wide. Example: I am standing at the ribbon cutting next to a gentleman taking pictures as if on a mission. We strike up a conversation. His pictures pretty cool even though they are only coming from his phone. We bump into each other again at the Senior Center. I fi nd out he is from New York. That he read about the event in my column. His love of music and Norman so strong he fl ew in for a couple of days to attend. His name is John Tormey. He is an entertainment lawyer to the stars. Personal friends with Pittsburgh Pirates star outfi elder from all those great 1970’s teams, Al Oliver. Oliver was a teammate of Roberto Clemente! Duly impressed! Thanks for coming by, John. Glad you enjoyed Malden. Bring Your Mortgage Home to Mass Bay! We’re Local – Just Like You!
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