THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 4, 2021 Page 9 LOSS | FROM PAGE 1 Simon Daponta, at only age 19, probably had more friends than most folks who were decades older than the popular Malden teen might accumulate through the years. Simon also had a close family who loved him dearly and supported him through his formative years right through to the present, where he was just at the doorstep of young adulthood. That is why it hit the Malden community and those at Malden High School so very hard, stopping many in their tracks with disbelief, when news spread of his devastating loss in a tragic motor vehicle accident on Friday afternoon, May 28. Malden High School Principal Chris Mastrangelo was busy Friday afternoon with last-minute preparations for the first MHS Senior Prom since 2019, a glittering, down-home affair to be held right on the campus of MHS, when he got the terrible news. “I was devastated. Simon was just a great kid in so many ways, who brightened up our school and helped bring so much happiness to his classmates and teammates in his years here,” Mastrangelo said. The MHS principal said he had to sit down and collect his thoughts before sharing the tragic news with Superintendent John Oteri and the MHS administrative team. “We had so much excitement and goodwill all week … for the Prom, and then we heard about Simon’s passing the same day,” Mastrangelo said. “We certainly had heavy hearts that evening. Everyone loved Simon and our hearts go out to his family and friends.” According to Massachusetts State Police (MSP) reports, Daponta was the driver of a 2009 Freightliner M2 box truck that crashed into the grass shoulder of the highway on Route I-93 southbound near Rt. 35 in Tewksbury at about 12:15 p.m. on Friday. According to MSP, he apparently fell asleep at the wheel and the truck drifted right, hit an electrical box and rolled over onto the driver’s side. According to MSP, Daponta suffered fatal injuries while the two passengers in the truck’s cab, a 41-year-old Medford man and a 29-year-old Taunton man, were not injured in the crash. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. The crash continues to be investigated by Troop A of the MSP, the MSP Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the MSP Crime Scene Services Section. Simon Daponta grew up in Mackey & Brown Attorneys at Law * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * GENERAL PRACTICE * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * CIVIL LITIGATION 14 Norwood St., Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.MACKEYBROWNLAW.COM John Mackey, Esq. * Katherine M. Brown, Esq. Patricia Ridge, Esq. Simon Daponta was a two-sport standout as a Malden High School student-athlete in the Class of 2020. (Courtesy/MHS Maldonian) Malden and attended the Forestdale and Linden K-8 Schools before coming to Malden High School. He was a member of the Class of 2020 and graduated at an outdoor ceremony with limited attendance in August, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a joyous day, one of the few traditional events able to be reclaimed for that graduating class. Simon was a two-sport standout, excelling as a league All-Star for the MHS Varsity Golf Team under Coach Bob Malatesta and also the Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team led by coach Jon Copithorne. Both coaches said they and the teammates who knew Simon were hard-hit by the tragic news. MHS Principal Mastrangelo and Supt. Oteri both informed the high school community and the districtwide community of the devastating news over the weekend. Mastrangelo said grief counselors were made available beginning Tuesday morning when students and staff returned to school and the long holiday Memorial Day weekend, and they were in place for those who needed support the remainder of this week. Many from Malden High School and from the Malden community attended a celebration of Simon’s life held Wednesday night at Anthony’s of Malden. Born on February 5, 2002, in Melrose, Simon was the beloved son of Steven and Helen Daponta, cherished brother of Aidan and his wife, Lauren, of Boxford and his sister, Emily Daponta of Malden. Simon grew up in Malden but was surrounded by a loving family near and far. Simon will be lovingly remembered by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his grandparents: Julio and Loretta Daponta of Everett and Larry and Phyllis Quinn of Dublin. Arrangements are being handled by the Spadafora Funeral Home (865 Main St., Malden). An obituary may be viewed at www.spadaforafuneral.com. Donations may be made in Simon’s name and honor to the JL11Fund at www.jl11fund.org. Law Offices of JOSEPH D. CATALDO, P.C. “ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW” • ESTATE/MEDICAID PLANNING • WILLS/TRUSTS/ESTATES • INCOME TAX PREPARATION • WEALTH MANAGEMENT • RETIREMENT PLANNING • ELDER LAW 369 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 (617)381-9600 JOSEPH D. CATALDO, CPA, CFP, MST, ESQUIRE. AICPA Personal Financial Specialist Designee
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