THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 30, 2021 Page 7 TORNADO FAMILY TIES: New Mexican brothers enhance Malden High lore with vintage photos donation Their grandparents were multi-sport MHS student-athletes in the 1920s By Steve Freker A s the school song tells us, Malden High School sports lore – created by “the wearers of the Blue and Gold” – is far-reaching and well known. “Our colors are the Blue and Gold, Our War Cry: M.H.S. Such stories of our might are told That fame can ne’er grow less” The Abney Brothers’ parents, the late Larry Abney and Beth Holbrook Bailey Abney (Courtesy Photo) —The Blue and Gold of Malden High Further, the adage “it’s a small world” is right on the money and was aptly illustrated in this community recently. The Abney Brothers of New Mexico had never set foot in Massachusetts, let alone the Eastern part of the United States, before they touched down at Logan Airport. They were born, raised and lived all of their just under six decades in that Southwest state. But circled #1 on their list of destinations for the pair after their arrival in Boston was a midsized, urban community close by: Malden, Mass. Specifically, Matt and Robert Abney intended on visiting Malden High School, a place they felt they knew, though never having been there. Malden High held a special place in their family, as its praises had been sung by their grandparents to their parents, then down then to the two sons themselves. “We always felt like we were part of [our grandparents’] journey,” Robert Abney, whose grandfather, Robert Bailey, is his namesake, said when he visited Malden High recently. “This place, Malden High School, played a major role in their lives, and they made sure our family knew about it.” To that end, Robert and Marjorie (Holbrook) Bailey, who were FAMILY | SEE PAGE 8 HISTORIC PHOTOS: The Abney Brothers of New Mexico donated team photos from their grandparents’ days at Malden High School for display in the school’s historic photo trophy case. (Advocate Photo) 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.
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