Have a Safe & Happy Labor Day Weekend! Vol. 32, No. 35 -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday Malden delegation celebrates $750k state grant to expand access to preschool in Malden B OSTON/MALDEN — State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Steve Ultrino, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Paul Donato were pleased to announce that Malden Public Schools have been awarded a $750,000 Commonwealth Preschool Partnerships Initiative (CPPI) Implementation Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). For Fiscal Year 2024, CPPI Implementation Grants were awarded for the purpose of expanding high-quality prekindergarten or preschool opportunities for three- and four-yearold children who will be eligible for kindergarten by September 2024 and September 2025. CPPI grants help foster partnerships between public K-12 school districts and community-based, EEC-licensed early education proDELEGATION | SEE PAGE 4 Malden Police Chief (Ret.) Neil L. Buckley, of Wilmington, formerly a longtime Malden resident, at 84 Popular former MPD Chief served in the 1980s and into the 1990s R etired Malden Police Chief Neil L. Buckley, of Wilmington, formerly of Malden, passed away on August 16, 2023. He was 84. Chief Buckley was born on July 30, 1939, in Malden, the cherished son of the late Cornelius H. and Eleanor M. (Miller) Buckley. Neil was raised and educated in Malden and lived here for over 30 years. Neil met “the love of his life” Lillian (Principato) Buckley at a church youth organization while they were both in high school; it was “love at first sight” and the couple enjoyed over 41 years of marriage before Lillian’s passing in 2004. Neil and Lillian lived in Malden for several years before settling in Wilmington in 1975, where they raised their three children: Patty, Michael and Karin. Neil and Lillian provided a warm and loving home for their children and family. Christmas Day was a big tradition in the Buckley home; they hosted over 40 people each year, where everyone had a great time and lots of memories were made. Chief Buckley started his long police career — over 30 years — at the Malden Police Department, following in his father’s footsteps. The Buckley family, including two uncles, served on the Police and Fire Departments, and Neil Malden Police Chief (Ret.) Neil Buckley 1939-2023 was fortunate enough to be able to work with his family. He started as a Patrolman and, with hard work and dedication to his job, he worked his way up the ranks, retiring as the Chief. Chief Buckley was very proud of his service to the City of Malden; he loved being part of the community by helping the citizens and enjoyed working with his fellow policemen. Although he was proud of his distinguished career, he was even more proud of the family he and Lillian created. He was a devoted husband; he and Lillian loved to spend time together at their lake houses. They enjoyed nature, especially boating and water sports. The couple loved to travel; they took several cruises, including a memorable cruise to Alaska. Chief Buckley and wife Lillian had a real sense of community in their adopted hometown of Wilmington; not only did they both work as public servants, but they also volunteered their time to make their community of Wilmington a better place. He served on the Planning Board in Wilmington for many years and volunteered at the Sons of Italy. Chief Buckley and Lillian enjoyed the fundraising events and the many friends they met through the group. Chief Buckley served on the Army National Guard for many years. Possessing many talents, he was able to play the trumpet and the French horn in the Army band. In his younger years, he also played the instruments for a band in the North End. He loved music, especially marching music, and often played it while enjoying time with his family and friends. Chief Buckley was the beloved husband of 41 years of the late Lillian M. (Principato) Buckley, devoted father of Patricia B. Hersey and her husband Jonathan of Newburyport, Michael J. Buckley & his wife Hasna of Venice Beach, Fla., and Karin Kennedy of Wilmington, loving “Pa” of Erin and Patrick Filetti, Nolan, Ethan POLICE CHIEF | SEE PAGE 13 617-387-2200 Friday, September 1, 2023 Residential street closed off near Malden Square due to presence of raw sewage City, police step in to address health hazard caused by broken pipe at Park Street apartment building By Steve Freker T he stench itself was overbearing. But the cause of the nasty smell was dangerous enough to close off the entire street Wednesday, from about midday until the early evening hours. A broken pipe in the basement of a four-story, 12STREET CLOSED | SEE PAGE 3 PUDDLES: Puddles and rivulets of raw sewage on Park Street on Wednesday. (Advocate photo) Irish American Club 10K and 5K Road Races running for the 45th year on Labor Day Monday By Steve Freker C lose to 300 runners are expected to be competing on Monday in the 45th Annual Irish American Road Races, a traditional Labor Day staple in Malden since 1978.The Malden Irish American Club will once again be raising money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in sponsoring the annual 5K and 10K road races. The traditional course winds through Malden’s Edgeworth neighborhood, right along parts of the Malden-Medford city line. This is a “Can’t Miss” event for many Malden residents — present and past — as many Malden and area “VIPs” and other “celebrities” usually participate in this event, including Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, an avid running enthusiast, who is in the double-digits in his personal participation as an IA Road Race runner. IRISH AMERICAN | SEE PAGE 6
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