THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 28, 2023 ~ Malden Musings ~ Page 3 “Judith Sullivan Retires” By Peter F. Levine “S he’s the king of rock, there is none higher! “Sucker MCs should call her sire! “To burn her kingdom, you must use fi re! “She won’t stop rockin’ till she retires!” Well, the time has come, Judy Brandano Sullivan aka the Queen B (I just made that nickname up) has called it a career after decades of dedicating her life to the good and welfare of Malden High School and the many, many generations of children who have walked through those hallowed front doors. Judy married well, that is fact – both her and her adoring hubby Mike calling Edgeworth home for an eternity. In case ya didn’t know...Judy and her family go way back in Malden’s history and were vital contributors to Malden’s success over the years. That ain’t no bull! For newbies to Malden: Judy’s family literally built this city (not on rock n roll but hard work – Jeff erson Starship lyric name drop). “Jumbo Brandano” was a legendary character from the early part of last century who, along with many other hard-working Italian immigrants, built the Malden infrastructure that we utilize today while laboring for the D.P.W. As a kid growing up in Edgeworth, I would hear Jumbo Brandano stories from old-timers in the neighborhood. By adulthood – in my mind’s eye – Jumbo had turned into “Big Bad John” – “sixfoot-six and weighed two-fortyfi ve, kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip.” For real! Much like the Spadaforas, Gennettis, Cagnos, Damianos, Maffeos, Pisaturos, Molinaris, Malatestas, Fermanos, Puleos and Angelos – the Brandanos and Malden’s good fortune have gone hand in hand. Families that made Malden their home; families that flourished and gave back to the city they loved, selflessly dedicating their lives for the betterment of the community in so many ways, all the way down to Judy (not Spadafora) Brandano Sullivan. With that said, I asked former M.H.S. Principal Dana Brown to say a word or two about “Jude.” Jude worked in the offi ce during the glory days that were the Dana Brown era. (Dana is so much more than “former M.H.S. Principal” – in many ways he was the backbone for many generations of Maldonians – I will continue my D.B. lovefest at a later date.) Take it away, Mr. Brown: “It is an honor and pleasure told, for many of those years, it didn’t seem like a job because of Jude. We laughed a lot, and there were even some watery eyes along the way. We shared our family stories, and even some of the family secrets. It was an honor to have her at the desk right outside my offi ce for many years. “There is nothing, and I mean nothing more important to Judie than her family and she loved to talk about them in such great ways that we all felt we were part of that family. The holidays, the vacations in York, the grandkids…Judie was really at her best talking about the family stuff . “Then there was her second family, the students, and staff at M.H.S. When I first worked for Judy at the high school… I mean when Judy and I worked together at M.H.S. she was workMUSINGS| SEE PAGE 17 9 ANGELO’S A FULL SERVICE 1978-2023 Celebrating 45 Years in Business! Malden Advocate contributor Peter F. Levine with recently retired Judy Sullivan to give you some thoughts about our friend Judy ‘Brandano’ Sullivan. We worked together for many years, and truth be Regular Unleaded $3.199 MidUnleaded $3.739 Super $3.839 Diesel Fuel $3.899 Heating Oil at the Pump $4.759 $3.249 DEF HEATING OI 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS Sun. 9AM-5PM Prices subject to change DIESEL TRUCK STOP FLEET
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