Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 29, 2026 Savvy Senior by Jim Miller The Letter Your Loved Ones Will Treasure Dear Savvy Senior, I want to leave something meaningful for my children and grandchildren, beyond just money or property. I’ve heard about “legacy letters,” but I don’t really know what they are or how to start one. Can you help? --Legacy Seeker Dear Seeker, You’re asking a wonderful question. A legacy letter – sometimes called an ethical will – is a personal note to your loved ones where you can share your values, life lessons, cherished memories, hopes, and guidance. Unlike a traditional will, which focuses on legal matters, a legacy letter comes straight from the heart. Why write one? Many people think a legacy is just money or property. But often, it’s your words, values, and life lessons that leave the deepest mark. A legacy letter gives your family something to hold onto – your stories, your traditions, and the experiences that shaped who you are. Children and grandchildren often return to these letters for comfort, guidance, or inspiration long after you’re gone. In many ways, it becomes an emotional last will and testament, answering some of the most important questions about your life. A legacy letter can also help explain the “why” behind your estate plan in a personal, thoughtful way. While a will handles the legal and financial details, a legacy letter adds context – why you made certain decisions or what you hope your loved ones will do with what you leave behind. That added perspective can ease misunderstandings, strengthen family connections, and leave a lasting sense of closeness. Getting started Take a moment to reflect on what matters most to you. Consider asking yourself: • What values or principles have guided my life? • What moments or experiences am I most grateful for? • What mistakes or regrets taught me the most? • How do I hope to be remembered by my loved ones? • What lessons, advice, or guidance do I want to leave for my family? • Which family traditions, stories, or dreams do I want future generations to carry forward? Keep it personal and sincere. You can write one letter or several for different family members. Most letters run one to three pages, though there’s no strict rule. If you’d like a little guidance as you get started, Trust & Will has a free legacy letter writing guide with step-by-step prompts to help you organize your thoughts and begin writing. You can find it at trustandwill.com/learn/legacy-letter-writing-guide. If writing isn’t your thing, consider creating a legacy video. Speak directly to your loved ones, sharing stories, guidance, and heartfelt reflections. Most smartphones now record high-quality video and sound, making it easy to create, store, and share. A video captures your voice, expressions, and surroundings in a way that a letter simply can’t. Storing and sharing Keep letters or videos in a safe, easy-to-find spot. Physical letters can go in a secure file, safe, or with your attorney, while digital files can be backed up to the cloud or an external drive. You can share them now or wait until later, after you’re gone. Be sure to include instructions in your will so family members know where to find them. When it comes down to it, a legacy letter or video is truly the heart behind your will. It gives you the chance to share your values, tell your stories, and even explain the intentions behind your estate plan, leaving your loved ones with words that will matter long after you are gone. Written with generosity, empathy, and positivity, a few thoughtful pages or a short video can create an emotional imprint that money alone cannot provide. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. OBITUARY Domenic “Dom” Fermano Of Malden passed away on May 21, from neuroendocrine carcinoma. Born on May 21, 1940 he was the first-born son of the late Giuseppe and Anita Fermano. Dom graduated from Malden High in 1958. There he accomplished a stellar football career playing halfback for the Golden Tornados while also running track. A legendary high school athlete in Malden, he was best known as a heroic football star in the late 1950s. Dom was the co-captain of the MHS Golden Tornado football team in 1957 and 1958 and is celebrated in local sports history for his spectacular game winning touchdown against Thanksgiving Day rival Medford High in 1957 which secured the GBL Championship. In the 1958 game he scored the winning touchdown, once again, which marked a rare feat, and championed his team to win the GBL title in 1958. His name remains synonymous with “old school” Golden Tornados. Dom was a celebrated former President of the MHS Golden Tornado Club and an honored member of the MHS Golden Tornado Athletic Hall of Fame. In the 1990s, under his leadership, the Golden Tornado Athletic Club awarded over $350,000 in scholarships to graduating student/ athletes, making it one of the most successful high school booster clubs in Eastern Mass. For this accomplishment, he was also the recipient of the first ever Community Recognition Award from the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Beyond the gridiron, Dom served in the U.S. Army during the Cuban Crisis and was honorably discharged in 1964. He later became a prominent local political figure in the area serving as Ward Two (Edgeworth) City Councillor, followed by his appointment as the City Controller for his beloved Malden. He was affectionately called “Mr. Edgeworth” not only for his contributions to the ward and city, but for his devotion to the St. Rocco Society of Malden, representing his proud heritage, and the Italian American Citizens Club. Upon his retirement, he consulted with the City of Everett until his passing. Dom was the adored and deeply loved husband of Sheila, special “Dad” to Jack and Missy Schifano of South Portland, ME; Stephanie and Scott Eccleston of Wilmington and Marc Schifano of North Reading. Dom was the cherished “Papa” to Aidan, Isabella, Noah, Samuel, Duke, Ace and Cassidy. Dom also had a special familial bond with Donna Worcester of Malden and Englewood, FLA He is also survived by Anthony Fermano of Peabody, loving brother to the late Joseph Fermano and was predeceased by his son, Domenic. Special thanks to the Oncology team at the Mass General Colorectal Cancer Center at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital and the compassionate loving care he received at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Dom's life was held at the Immaculate Conception Church, Malden on Thursday, May 28, Visitation with family and friends was held at the A.J. Spadafora Funeral Home, on Wednesday, May 27. Interment in Forest Dale Cemetery, Malden Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (MVRCS) Request for Response for School Bus Transportation RFR #27-100 RFR Release Date: Monday, May 18, 2026 Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting Wednesday, May 27, 2026 Question Due: Response Deadline: Monday, June 1, 2026 Monday, June 15, 2026 10:00 A.M. 11:30 A.M. 4:00 P.M. 2:00 P.M. Description: Mystic Valley Regional Charter School is issuing a Request for Response (RFR #27-100) for School Bus Transportation Services. Responses must be submitted to the Office of Finance and Business Operations at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, 4 Laurel Street, Malden, MA 02148, Attn: Julie-Anne Aloise. For additional information regarding the RFR, please contact Julie-Anne Aloise at 781-388-0222 ext. 2016 or by email at jaloise@mvrcs.org. May 22, 29, 2026
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