Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 28, 2025 ~ Malden Musings ~ Paul Gilligan & Dave Russo at MHS GTC Fundraiser By Peter Levine T he Malden High School Golden Tornado Club Fundraiser at Giggles on Route 1 last week? Absolute gold. A night packed with laughs, legends and enough Malden star power to light up the Zakim Bridge. I had the honor of breaking bread (or, more likely, sharing a plate of Giggles’ famous pizza) with some stone-cold Maldonia MVPs: Rec Director and Dorothy’s dad Joe ‘Chills” Levine; MHS football coach Witche “Kevin’s big brother” Exilhomme; and the city’s unofficial historian/storyteller/raconteur, Marty Gately. Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 But the heavy hitters didn’t stop there. Front and center, I spotted GTC Board Member Katie Nicholson Bowdridge and her husband, Mike. Fun fact: Mike happens to be cousins with former Atlanta Braves set-up guy Kevin McGlinchey, who happens to be the third best athlete in his family behind his moms and pops (maybe throw his Auntie Rose on that list and he is possibly the fourth best athlete). Another fun fact: Katie worked the front desk at the old Y along with Erika Christenson Israelson and Lisa West – the golden era of awesome front desk workers at the old Y, and that ain’t because each of them would give me an extra towel if I asked – insert great big smiley face. Also in attendance: GTC Board Member and Athletic Department powerhouse Jeanne Marquardo (one of my fave Grassos for sure); MHS girls softball coach Rebecca Krigman (who also happens to be one of the first women to climb the fabled grease pole during the San Rock Festa); volleyball and JV basketball coach Danny Jurkowski; track coach Marc Ferrera; friend to just about everybody on earth – multi-sport star at MHS from 1977 and wicked good kid Benny Talbot; legendary wrestling coach Phil Gormley and his son (sorry, kid, memory’s not what it used to be!); the oneand-only Johnny “CJ” Lopresti; and the man who might actually hold the record for most Hall of Fame inductions in Massachusetts – Steve Freker. And then, the real magic happened. Two of Malden’s funniest cats, Dave “I’m not that kind of Indian” Russo and Paulie “handsome is a light switch away” Gilligan, took center stage and had the crowd in stitches. For a couple of hours, they made us forget about the midwinter blues, sky-high egg prices and whatever else was weighing us down. Now, full disclosure: I’ve known these two guys for so long that trying to count the years would just be depressing. Paulie, in particular, has been part of my world forever. Back in the day, I’d walk into little brother David’s room and see Paulie, his brother Danny, Johnny Swanson, Sonny & Dean Trioli, Joe Victor, Mike McCauley, a Skiffington or two, Bo & Kevin Hannon, Johnny Olsen and the rest of their mischievous crew playing poker into the wee hours. Then we’d hit the court for some hoops. Then concerts. Then just life, growing up in Malden, from Oak Grove to Edgeworth and everywhere in between. Paulie and Dave, my friends, keep ’em laughing – because lord knows we all need it in these mishigas times we live in. It is said in “Malden Musings”... • Led by the steady, reliable hand of Malden Parking Department rising star Ernie “the first man they look for and the last man they wanted to see” Ardolino Jr., the Department’s Enforcement Officers were out in — Vinyl Siding — Carpentry Work — Decks — Roofing — Free Estimates — Replacement Windows — Fully Licensed — Fully Insured
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