Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 24, 2024 ~ Malden Musings ~ Saint Rocco 2024 On My Mind 50 The faces of San Rocco: Mike, John & Dave Cagno, Salvatore “Butch” Gennetti. By Peter Levine E Eastern Bank Building on Rte. 1S 605 Broadway, #301 * Saugus (781) 233-6844 www.bostonnorthdental.com very San Rock weekend, the original 1929 Rocco statue Dr. Priti Amlani Dr. Bhavisha Patel * Restorative Dentistry * Cosmetic Dentistry * Implant Restoration * Zoom Whitening * Teeth in a Day - All on 6 * Invisalign * CEREC Crowns (Single Visit Crowns) * Root Canal Treatment * Sedation Dentistry ~ Full Mouth Rehabilitation ~ Before After sits in Vinnie Della Gatta’s bay window on Pearl Street. Not far from the original, the 2024 replacement has found a new home when he isn’t displayed the second weekend in August on the streets of Edgeworth. Next time you’re walking, running or driving down Pearl Street on your way to Pisa Pizza or to watch an athletic event at Macdonald Stadium, take a moment as you pass the Italian American Citizens’ Club (121 Pearl St.) and look up. There he is in all his loving glory and splendor, San Rocco himself (albeit the second?). Displayed in the bay window of the Club, looking down on his faithful pilgrims, showering his love and benediction on all who pass by – also making sure there are no shenanigans going on at the bocce court. They say tradition dies hard; we know that for the truth in Edgeworth where the Saint Rocco Feast is going on 10 decades strong. The “Unofficial Mayor of Edgeworth,” Dom Fermano, put into words what many of us who grew up in Edgeworth feel in our hearts: “It is important not to forget the memories that you have made through your lifetime and to share them with your family and friends so that they stay alive. The memories of the Saint Rocco Feast remind me of the happiness and simple life we had as youngsters; the close-knit community of Edgeworth, especially during the Feast when all came together as one; the sadness of seeing the elderly shed a tear when praying to San Rock for his help and guidance. It is also a reminder of Saint Peter’s Parish and its many achievements. To not hold reverence for this Feast, in my opinion, would be a great injustice to those families, friends and relatives who are no longer with us. It keeps alive the Italian heritage brought to this country by these Edgeworth families over these many years.” Like expat Nick Gizzi, growing up in Edgeworth, we feel we have learned a great deal of life lessons. Lessons that have helped us through our journeys thus far: cool stuff , such as pride, loyalty and most importantly never, ever forgetting where you came from; but most of all, family fi rst. To the loved ones no longer with us who are looking over us, this one’s for you! With that said, in loving memory (a very partial list) of those who came before us ... ● Phil Longo ● Eddie Trabucco ● Nancy Cagno ● Eddie “The Greek” DiGiantommaso ● Anthony “Papa Tony” Spadafora ● Dorothy Drago Levine ● Lucille Spadafora ● Jimmy Palermo ● Joan & Tony Pisaturo ● Eleanor & Frank Molinari ● Laura Damiano ● Robert Ultrino ● Beverly Settemio It is said in “Malden Musings”... ● “Sherman, set the Wayback Machine to...” As reported by The Malden Advocate of 1985, “Malden This Week” on March 28: “All-American ‘Kitten’ Callahan aka Lady Godiva...During the NCAA Swimming and Diving championships held earlier this month at Justus Aquatic Center in Orlando Florida, Malden’s Kathleen ‘Kitten’ Callahan, in the 3-meter diving competition, fi nished 7th out of 47 of the best divers in the nation, qualifying for the prestigious ‘All-American’ award. Amazingly, Kathleen suff ered a serious rib injury competing at Yale University last November, but despite the injury, she qualifi ed for the national competition at the New England meet held in Springfi eld Mass where a score of 390 points must be reached in eleven dives. Kathleen’s score at the NCAA meet was 406.40. Kitten is the daughter of Peggy and Paul Callahan and is a junior at the University of Maine.” ● Kit calls Williamstown home these days, worked as a diving coach at Williams College, is Billy Callahan’s niece, is married to John (Koch), has a daughter Annie, a stepson named Chris, and a granddaughter Blake. Hope you’re well, Kitten! By the way, miss your brother Richie every single day. ● Discovering all the unique nooks and crannies as we walk the streets of Malden during our twice-a-week morning constitutions, my brother Joe and I discovered possibly one of the most distinctive houses in Malden. Across the street from Tommy Stein’s old house at 121 Avon St. is a one-of-a-kind mini castle. Slate roof, copper gutters, custom stained glass, turrets and – from what I have read – an “incredible cathedral master suite with skylights, exposed beams, and sliders!” Beautifully maintained landscaping on a quiet neighborhood street in Edgeworth? Fuhgeddaboudit! ● Salemwood Custodial Engineer Jimmy Tucker and his wife Jean (Pisaturo) in the Controller’s Offi ce, please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your beautiful mother Song Cha Tucker. Didn’t know your mom, Jimmy, but looking at the collection of photos at the funeral home I could see she led a wonderful life surrounded by a loving family. May her memory be a blessing, my friends. Apropos of the Saint Rocco Feast... ● The Feast means many things to countless people. Communal for some, spiritual for others, it holds timeless childhood memories and traditions that for many of us shaped our MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 18
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