Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 21, 2021 Malden Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday – Bert Paquette remembered By Peter F. Levine I t is said in Malden today, tomorrow and yesterday... Forty years ago, “Malden today, tomorrow and yesterday” remembers the 1981 release of Bert Paquette & The New Gamblers’ self-titled vinyl LP on Al Cocorochio’s Black Rose Records label. The band consisted of Maldonians Jerry and Bert Paquette, Danny Titus and Norman McLeod. The New Gamblers played what critics in 1981 called a “unique blend of country and rock” – referred to today as “Americana.” Bert and Jerry grew up on a farm on Prince Edward Island in Canada and moved to Malden in their early teens. The charismatic and handsome Paquette boys were brilliant musicians touring with Preacher Jack, Ernest Tubb, Sleepy LaBeef and George Thorogood & the Delaware Destroyers. They toured Canada as well as most of New England and, of course, all the cooler rooms in Boston, PAYLESS OIL 877-688-7667 $2.29 SPRING Go GREEN LANDSCAPING & CONSTRUCTION LLC 9 Senior/Veteran Discounts Serving All Communities Lawns Cut CLEANUPS CHEAP FREE Estimates and Fully Insured $100 (COUPON YOUR CHOICE * THESE SERVICES ONLY * LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER) NEW SPRING OR FALL FLOWERS * NEW SHRUBS * TREE REMOVAL OUTSIDE PAINTING * JUNK REMOVAL * SIMPLE HANDYMAN REPAIRS * COUPON IS REDEEMABLE FOR NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Services include: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Fertilization * Mulching *Junk Removed * Aeration * New Shrubs/Trees * Demolition * Irrigation Systems * New Lawns/Sod/Seed * Dog Poop Scoping * Dethatching * Tree Removal * Masonry * Lawn Cutting * Stump Removal * Landscaping * Spring/Fall Clean Ups * Gutter Cleaning * Sealcoating * Pruning * New Fences SERVING THE NORTH SHORE 877-688-7667 such as the Tam O’Shanter, Ed Burke’s, Doyle’s and the InnSquare Men’s Bar (“Ladies Invited”), as well as most VFWs, AMVETS and Elks Lodges within driving distance. Bert passed away in 1997 from a brain aneurysm and is missed by every single person he ever met. Jerry is still active in music, fronting his own band, the “Kan-Tu Blues Band,” out of New Hampshire. Danny is retired from the music biz but can be found on Facebook. Norman took his life in 1998. Imagine you haven’t been in Malden for, say, the last 35 years. Imagine stepping off the Orange Line at Malden Station for the first time in those many years. You would be lost. The landscape has so dramatically changed that you would have to consult your iPhone for directions or at least call Peter Caso for advice. Upscale eateries, a state-of-the-art City Hall building, sleek new modern housing and Bikeeny Caffe assault the senses – this not your grandfather’s Malden. Didn’t Steve Freker do a fabulous job nailing the piece on Malden’s first police officer killed in the line of duty, Watchman Faulkner?! Fascinating story – such an interesting read – also very sad. I pictured this poor soul, risking his life in the dead of night, the last moments with his partner after getting shot, never returning home to his family. According to Police Chief Molis, not much more is known of Watchman Faulkner’s life, before or after the incident. I’m just thinking out loud; possibly he fought in the Civil War? His time in the service on his resume when he applied for the Watchman job in Malden? As with many in those times, possibly leaving a large family? Did they remain in MalBert Paquette is shown in a 1981 promo photo. (Courtesy Photo) den? Are the descendants of Watchman Faulkner alive today? I would love to know. I will reach out to the fine folks at the Malden Historical Society to see if we can fill in the blanks and let you know. Happy birthday, Danny Gilligan! Slowly but surely, you’re catching up to the rest of us! Looking good. All the best, my friend! I have this great article from 2008, the 100th year celebration of the production of the fabled Chuck Taylor sneaker: The kicks Larry wore! The kicks the Ramones wore! The kicks I have been wearing (and every single one of my friends) since goodness knows when! Erin Ailworth was part of The Boston Globe staff at the time and had this to say: “Today, Converse’s shoemaking history isn’t as well remembered in Malden as some might think. Stephen Nedell, a librarian at Malden Public Library, which includes volumes in Converse, attributes the lack of awareness to the fact that another branch of the Converse family has a more storied history in the city: Elisha Converse – a cousin several times removed from the shoemaking M.M. Converse who founded Converse – was the city’s first mayor. And the library building that houses the historic collection is named for Elisha’s son, who is often considered the first murder victim of a professional bank robbery in the United States. ‘It’s kind of ironic that Converse Rubber Shoe Co. had such a big influence...outside of Malden,’ Nedell said, ‘Here Marquis Converse was kind of overshadowed by his more famous cousin.’” More on this fascinating part of Malden’s history later. Maybe Barbara Tolstrup could shed some light on the man they called “The Candy Man” at the old Palace of Sweets in downtown Malden Square. Barbara was a regular at Palace of Sweets as were most of her classmates at Malden High School in the 1940s. Charles Cokkinos, I believe, owned the Palace for over 40 years and eventually opened a second place in Waltham called Dandy Dutch Candies. He was a Malden High School graduate and MALDEN: TODAY| SEE PAGE 17
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