Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 24, 2020 Free meals program continues through Malden Public Schools MALDEN | FROM PAGE 2 told the Malden Evening News at the time. “After arriving home in Boston from Pennsylvania, the team received a police escort back to Malden. A reception was later held at the Kernwood to recognize the squad. ‘This was top of the world stuff,’ Geaney said. ‘We were treated like kings.’” “This is the end, beautiful The Malden Public Schools free meals program is continuing throughout the summer and is going strong Monday through Friday at two locations from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Malden High School, 77 Salem St. (Ferry Street entrance, next to CVS); Salemwood School, 529 Salem St. (Parking lot entrance). Both free breakfast and lunch meal packages can be picked up in those hours. The meals are available for any student who is a Malden resident, and the student does not have to be present. Anyone can pick up the meals. Also, on Fridays, additional meals will be distributed for those who request them for the weekend days. Go to the Malden Public Schools website – maldenps.org – for more information. (Steve Freker Photos) A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 Same Location * Same Service for 48 Years! Chris Dan Steve We Welcome You Back & Wish You Well! * Desktop Humidors * Travel Humidors * Vapes * Juice * Cigar Accessories * Bongs * Lighters & Ash Trays * Glass Pipes * Gift Cards * Rewards Program * Juuls * CBD Infused Products Cigar of the Month! Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Magnum Box of 20 - Only $149.95 Buy your Cigars by the Box & Save! Plus our “Golfers’ Special” 15 Handmade Cigars - Churchill Size including a Cohiba! Only $43.95 STORE HOURS 8 AM - 7 PM Mon. - Sat., Sun. 8 AM - 6 PM friend, this is the end, my only friend, the end...” Richie Callahan, 1957-2020. I first met Richie back in 1970, seventh grade at Beebe Jr. High. Richie was bused across town to Beebe from Forestdale along with Greg Lucey, Paul Figelski, John Crannell, Jimmy Harris, Mike Upham and Jay Gramolini. To this day I have no idea why. The Forestdale bunch easily integrated with us Edgeworth boys: myself, Jimmy & Jerry Damiano, Dave Angelo, Billy Settemio, Johnny Puleo, Mike Scibelli, Tony Della Gatta and a cast of many other (characters). Richie loved life. And truth be told, lived on the edge at times, like many from that generation. He loved a good game of tackle football, a robust swim in his pool, a cold Schlitz or two and, from time to time, only on special occasions, sweet Mary Jane. In equal parts mind you. A notorious flirt – the girls adored him. Richie fit in with any of the many crowds that congregated on the streets of Malden in those days. He was a Devir boy via Forestdale, but he was right at home at the corner of Whitman and Highland, or the Pleasant Street Bowling Alley – Tina Gaudette’s house on a Friday night – Al’s Pool Room or behind the Glenwood on a Saturday night. You get the idea. Richie was a popular kid. And he was also a notorious prankster. He nearly split his gut with laughter when he heard the results of the prank he pulled way back in 1976. George Wallace was running for president. George Wallace was a divisive candidate, despised in Massachusetts for his less than enlightening views. Sound familiar? Richie placed a G.W. bumper sticker on the back of a mutual friend’s car. Said mutual friend barely made it past Wellington Circle alive. It was a ’70s thing, I guess. He could hit a softball a mile, when he didn’t swing through the pitch that is. I kid, Richie. Richie could swim better than any of us, I will admit. That is not fake news. And he loved to strut his stuff, especially if there were pretty girls poolside. Time spent in his backyard by his pool are treasured memories. Dave O’Brien remembers that Richie could “drive a ‘stick,’ while smoking a cigarette, nursing a ‘soft drink,’ turned all the way around and telling a story to his friends in the back seat of the car better than anybody he ever drove with.” While not exactly one of life’s great achievements, this was one of the many unique and wonderful aspects of Richie’s unmistakable personality. Richie disappeared on us in the late 1970s. I spoke with him years later and he related how he was spending a lot of time with old Malden boy Dave “Double Dribble” Doyle in Harvard Square. How on a random cold winter’s night he and Dave shared a pint of cheer with the Bruce Springsteen at a small hideaway dive on Bow Street. Explain that, I cannot. Disprove it, I also cannot. Insert smiley face. He’s related to most of Malden. His cousin Bobby O’Keefe reminded me that Richie was a “great guy who would give you the shirt off his back.” Bobby, thanks for reaching out. I have known that since that very first day in 7th grade when he lent me a copy of his treasured Sports Illustrated (the swimsuit edition!). His uncle Billy is a legendary figure in the history of Malden politics, most notably his reign in Ward 2 as Councilor where he was adored on both sides of Highland Avenue – the Irish and the Italian side – Callahan Park deservedly named after him. His uncle Eddie was tragically murdered in 1963 responding to a robbery in progress at the A&P Supermarket on Pleasant Street as a Malden Police Officer. The Edward C. Callahan Memorial Square is now located across the street from the long-gone A&P. His brother Paul also dabbled in politics (I believe), spending time as Ward 5 Councilor back in the 1980s (?). His cousin Kathy (Keogh) Baker from Illinois was a loyal and loving friend until the very end. Richie fought the good fight, in life and in death, his saintly wife Linda making Richie’s last journey as painless as possible: “One of the most courageous and toughest guys I know, lost his battle with cancer yesterday. Thank you, Richie, for showing us what courage really means and reminding us of how precious life is and what is truly important. You are leaving behind so many memories and sweet thoughts that will live in our hearts forever. I find comfort in knowing you are no longer suffering in pain and that you are in the presence of God now. Forever in our hearts.” Richie is preceded in death by a man who had his back from that very first day at Beebe, the late Jimmy Damiano. Our world will never be the same without you two. Jimmy and Richie playing five card stud once again.
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