Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 19, 2022 MALDEN MUSINGS – Cliff Cioffi Turns 70 formerly Malden Today Tomorrow and Yesterday By Peter Levine “O ne day you turn around, and it’s summer / next day you turn around, and it’s fall / and the springs and the winters of a lifetime / whatever happened to them all.” Just like that, Pine Street’s Cliff Cioffi turns the big 7-0. His days and nights of dominating the Amerige hoop court, a distant (but still vivid) memory (just ask him). His days debating cultural, social and political issues at the A.O.H. on Charles Street are, at best (thankfully for fellow members), limited. His days of being the center of attention, although not technically over, lessened dramatically over the years (new knees, repaired shoulders, domestic bliss). But make no mistake, “Choff ” is far from done with his present-day mortal coil. He’s Cliff Cioffi . He’s 70 years old, and if he had his druthers, he would torture us for another 70 years! He burst into our lives in the summer of ’71 just as Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May” began climbing the charts. Hasn’t been a day since that fateful moment that something Choff pontifi cated on doesn’t enter our consciousness (haunt us?). His core belief system unchanged through the years – proudly wearing his liberal freak fl ag even when it was a clear and present danger to do so – his musical taste, always two steps ahead of any trend. His instinctual ability to bring people together and get the party started? Unmatched in the history of Amerige and Devir Park. Cliff is special in so many ways. Those that know him understand what I speak of. At times obstinate (like his siblings) – at times overopinionated – on occasion, a tad overbearing. But he wouldn’t be “Choff ” if he weren’t. Again, those who know him love him unconditionally. Role model, mentor, Rabbi, friend; all the above and more. Choff lives life his way. Never a dull moment in his entire glorious life. Happy birthday, “Mr. Big Stuff !” Representative Paul Donato is straight out of Medford, but he is one of Malden’s best friends. He knows the people. The landscape. And where all the best restaurants are! Paul would like to continue to serve Malden. Let’s get to know Paul the person, just a bit. Twenty questions for one of the hardest working men in show biz... 1. My full name is... Paul J. Donato. 2. I am currently... State Representative for Medford and Malden. 3. I am saving up for... a new car. 4. My home is in... Medford. 5. I love people who... like to laugh. 6. Something I say a lot is... be good to one another. 7. I consider myself to be... honest. 8. I need to have... friends. 9. My favorite movie of all time is... It’s a Wonderful Life. 10. My all-time role model is... JFK. 11. I respect people who... Childhood friends Jimmy “Stinger” Cahill and George “Gorgeous George” Miller fl ank birthday boy Cliff “Choff ” Cioffi . work hard. 12. The best thing anyone has ever said to me is... “He’s a good person.” 13. I am happy when... I’m with my friends and family. 14. I fi nd Saturday Night Live funny/hilarious. 15. I am named after my uncle. 16. I have two kids. 17. The farthest I’ve ever been from home is... Hong Kong. 18. My special talents are... I can sing. 19. I have (no) pets. 20. I played sports as a youngster at... Tufts Park in Medford. As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character “Columbo” would say “Just one more thing, sir.” This past May counted the 23rd year of Steve Powell’s passing. Here I combine the old with the new to revisit his short but sweet life: I miss my dear friend, the original renaissance man himself, the late Steve Powell. Very, very hard to believe we have been without him for all these years. He would have just loved today’s technology, today’s music, today’s Malden, today’s weed! Steve passed away unexpectedly on May 22, 1999 – leaving behind too many people who loved him to count. Eccentric, unconventional, gifted with a killer smile – he certainly was all those things plus one of the purest athletes Malden ever produced to boot. His induction into the MHS Sports Hall of Fame was a no-brainer. He was just so good. Steve had an inexhaustible joie de vivre – talented with a terrifi c sense of humor and a remarkable appreciation for the healing powers derived from the simple pleasures of life. His travels around the world are stuff of legend. I discovered a postcard he had sent me in 1991 while he was “vacationing” in Malaysia. He tells me that he is in this “awesome rainforest,” one CIOFFI | SEE PAGE 11 Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl 64 Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Roofing •Free Estimates •Replacement Windows •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured
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