THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 28, 2020 Page 5 “Malden: Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday” …thoughts on a cold February morning By Peter F. Levine P icked up pieces while waiting for the much-anticipated arrival of spring in Malden... • I recently stated that Lt. John Crannell was the last of the Class of 1975 to retire from the MPD, following in the footsteps of Gary Hennessey, Frankie Spinale and George Grimes. While not a Malden High School grad, Police Chief Kevin Molis was a member of that infamous Malden Catholic High School Class of 1975. Sorry for the oversight, Chief! • I ran into Malden via Melrose basketball standout Billy Greely at West Memorial Elementary School in West Peabody last Saturday morning. “Greels” was there to catch his nephew’s little boy play hoop in the 9/10 P.B.A. Billy looked good! I was happy to see him! Wasn’t always that way. I hated to see him whenever he covered me during the old YMCA hoop glory days back in the 1980’s through the 1990’s. His tenaciousness on the hardwood was legendary. His jump/ set shot was just as deadly as his “D.” Billy led Melrose High to a state championship in the mid1960’s at the old Garden and played college ball with Dr. J at UMass back in the late 1960’s. Always loved Greels! • If you haven’t seen Gary Cherone lately in the Malden vicinity, he has a valid excuse. The “10th Anniversary Monsters of Rock Cruise” featuring Extreme, Telsa, Winger, Stryper, Krokus, Thunder, Vixen and a bunch of other hair metal bands set sail aboard the Independence of the Seas on Feb 8 out of Ft. Lauderdale, hitting Cozumel and Belize City for fi ve days of fun, sun and metal. • Rest in peace, Larry Levine from Larry Levine’s Meat & Deli in Peabody. The Jewish Journal from January 16 reports Larry passed away on December 21 at age 86 “after years of hard work and devotion to his family and community.” A Malden High School 1951 graduate, Larry was a talented saxophone player and was even awarded a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music. His father, fearing Larry would become a “bum” pursuing a career in music, persuaded him to study business at Northeastern instead. The rest is history. He opened Larry Levine’s Meat & Deli in Peabody – and went on to become famous serving the best kosher pastrami and brisket in the largest kosher meat market north of Boston and south of Montreal. “As the likeminded as long as you could tolerate the cigarette smoke. John Strauss owned Pleasant Street Smoke Shop and ran it with his son Steve, a 1976 MHS graduate. John was a good man! A U.S. Army veteran, member of the Malden VFW 639, and DAV, John passed away in June of 2014. Another piece of old Malden lost with his death. Long live the Pleasant Street Smoke Shop. By the way, people, stop blocking his driveway! Thank you. Time for the fi rst edition of “Malden: Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday Top 15 Desert Island Discs.” It goes like this: You’re stranded on a deserted island for an indefi nite amount of time. Think “Gilligan’s Island” as opposed to “Cast Away.” You have the option of bringing with you 15 of your favorite music CD’s – music you cannot live without. This time, though, MALDEN: TODAY| SEE PAGE 18 Norman “Spirit in the Square” Greenbaum and Malden Catholic 1975 graduate and Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis at the “Spirit in the Sky” mural dedication on Exchange Street last year. (Courtesy Photo) long as we live, they too will live; for they are now are a part of us; as we remember them.” Jewish Prayer. I am not a relation to Larry. • Happy birthday wishes to longtime boogie-woogie piano icon (Malden’s very own) Preacher Jack! The craziest, most insane man in show biz shares a birthday with his idol Abe Lincoln. Jack is resting peacefully at the Tewksbury State Hospital – the very last stop on his “Everlasting Celebration of the Spirit Never Ending Tour.” • “Malden: Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday” celebrates the 50th anniversary of (Malden boy) Norman Greenbaum’s “Canned Ham” reaching #46 on the Billboard pop chart. Known as a “one-hit wonder” – contrary to popular belief – Norman placed several songs on the Billboard charts during his career, none, of course, more popular than “Spirit in the Sky.” • Most know Chief Molis by his public persona as that straight out of central casting Police Chief – “just the facts ma’am” type of guy. But believe me, this guy bleeds Malden and he sincerely loves special (Malden) moments like meeting Norman Greenbaum. Check out the smile. That ain’t fake. Thanks, chief, for keeping it real and for all the good you do for the city you love so much. • Well, I never got to Papa’s Bar & Grille for that last plate of chicken parm with a side of garlic bread before they closed their doors on us. So long, Bernie & Kell! Thank you for all that you and your family have done for Malden. And continue to do for Malden. I hope the Pleasant Street Smoke Shop has much success at their new home on Irving Street. Strange not to see a “smoke shop” at the old location on Main Street – a fi xture there all my life. From Moe’s Smoke Shop to the Converse Smoke Shop to the Pleasant Street Smoke Shop, they were the anchor of the Square for many of the Square’s recent dark days. I bought my Globe and Herald for many years there as well as many issues of Mad and Sport magazine. We all went in before and after school. A bit of Malden’s past tucked away in the middle of the Square – our equivalent of the General Store – all we needed was Floyd the Barber sitting out front. A place to gather in the morning and complain about the Sox or PAYT or praise the same if you’re in a good mood; also a place to indulge all your vices amongst AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Get Your Vehicle Winter Ready! OIL CHANGE SPECIAL Up to 5 Quarts of Oil (Most Vehicles) Includes FREE Brake Inspection & Safety Check Only $24.95 DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! CASH FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV! 2009 FORD F-150 CREW CAB 4X4, One Owner, Most Power Options, Only 118K Miles, Just Serviced, Trades Welcome! PRICED RIGHT! $9,500 Easy Financing Available! 2011 FORD F-150 CREW CAB Platinum Package, 4X4, Loaded, Every Option, Clean Title, Only 99K Miles, Trades Welcome! AMAZING LOW PRICE! $16,500 781-321-8841 1236 Eastern Ave • Malden EddiesAutotech.com We Pay Cash For Your Vehicle! 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