Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 16, 2026 ~ Malden Musings ~ Jackie Bouley, 1961-2026, Beloved Maldonian By Peter Levine U pon hearing of Jackie Bouley’s passing, as was the case with many in Malden, I am at a loss for words. When her beloved husband Steve — my childhood friend — passed, the pain was deep. This cuts even deeper. My sincerest condolences go out to the Bouley family and to their friends. Of which there are many. Daughter Jacqueline Ann bravely put these words out: “Oh Mom. I can’t even put into words how painful losing you feels. You were the fixer of everything and made a house a home. We are so heartbroken. There are so many people who will feel the weight of your absence. This doesn’t make sense. Please give Dad and Mimi a hug.” It is said in Malden Musings.... ● All the platters that matter...1972’s “Soul Makossa” by Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango is getting heavy rotation on my turntable these days. The tune “Soul Makossa” is the most sampled African song in music history (just ask Rihanna, who borrowed liberally from Dibango). ● Rihanna/Malden connection alert...Malden’s adopted son, Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt, toured as Rihanna’s guitarist for many years beginning in 2009. Also, did you know that in 2023 Rolling Stone Magazine ranked NB number 197 of the 250 greatest guitarists of all time?! Believe me when I tell you, he certainly deserves it. No person who has ever picked up an instrument worked harder at his craft than this young man. And he’s a wicked good kid to boot! ● Speaking of Nuno, he surprised me the first time we shared the court at Little Pearl. His singer Gary (Cherone) brought him down for some pickup games with Cooker, Tecce, Jeff Beck, Johnny & Mikey D, and although he was no Dickie “Kid Ego” August (inside joke), the kid could flat-out play. He ran circles around us a couple of times, using his soccer speed and quickness just to make his presence known. I quickly figured out that if you can’t beat Established 1978 Mid-grade Regular 3.99 4.60 5.99 $4.91 Full Service ULS $5.359 Order online at angelosoil.com ’em, make sure he’s on YOUR team. Afterward, we’d head over to Pearl Street Station, back when PSS was located at the corner of Charles and Pearl Streets, where Pisa Pizza now sits. Pickup basketball, Little Pearl, meat plates at Pearl Street Station, Gary, Nuno — and too many good times to recount. Priceless Malden of yesteryear memories. ● Midas Muffler on CommerKerosene Now Available! cial Street gets the Malden Musings Wicked Awesome Auto Shop of the week award. Jim (Sousa) and his crack crew are seriously some of the best folks to do business within our fair city — a great bunch of guys not looking to hurt your wallet — much like Superior Gas at 60 Lebanon Street and Exchange Brake at 50 Thacher Street. Say Home of the Week Offered at $599,000 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate Formerly Carpenito Real Estate SAUGUS – 1st AD - Classic Colonial with Space, Character & Potential. Bring your vision to this spacious Colonial. This home offers generous size rooms and plenty of potential for those looking to restore and update a property to their own taste. The first floor of this home is Handicap accessible with a handicap entrance ramp and a full handicap bathroom along with an eat in kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a slider that lead to a deck. Dining room and an additional room could be a 4th bedroom and an additional full bathroom. Double staircases leading to the 2nd floor which offers 3 bedrooms and a 3rd full bath. The walk-up attic provides two additional rooms, offering flexible space for hobbies and more room for storage. Full basement and a two-car garage adds valuable parking, workshop, and storage possibilities. Roof is 3 years old. While the home needs work, its generous layout, substantial storage, and side street location make it an excellent opportunity for renovation. A great option for contractors looking for a winter project. (781) 233-7300 335 Central St. Saugus commonmoves.com ©2024 BHH Affiliates, LLC, An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity. Steve and Jackie Bouley “HI” to Jim at Midas, Mo at Superior and John at Exchange Brake next time you go in. ● Couple weeks back an elderly person drove through the front door of Santa Fe Burrito Grill & Bar on Pleasant Street — two doors down from City Hall (Boy’s Life reference — please GOOGLE, you’ll love their music). Thank (the deity of your choice), nobody was hurt, and seeing the young woman who worked there get the surprise of her life was unsettling, to say the least. That night I am sitting at the bar in the I.A.C.C. nursing a Ginger Ale when our favorite 6 o’clock news reader, Amaka Ubaka, fills the airwaves. The coverage News7 gave the incident was, of course, overblown, as much local “news” is these days. But we sat transfixed anyhow. Anyway, as me and the boyos banter back and forth about our hometown once again being in the news, a local influencer/scenester is being interviewed at the location. Much to our delight, one of Malden’s favorites and most popular residents, Gladys Rivera Rogers, pops onto the screen. Looking fabulous we all agreed Gladys had the best line of the night as (paraphrasing) she wondered when the heck did Santa Fe add a drive-thru window to the business?! Much laughter erupted throughout the Club following her remarks, with more than a few patrons taking the opportunity to compliment Ms. Rivera on her new, glamorous hairstyle. Way to go, Gladys! You made our day! ● Great googly moogly! The Weed Tree Garden at 1 Salem Street is now in full bloom, looking absolutely magnificent in all its overgrown fall color splendor! A true botanical masterpiece, proudly enhancing the beautification of our beloved Malden Square. Thank you to the powers that be for this magnificent contribution to our urban landscape. Said, once again of course, facetiously. ● “Will the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands? And the rest of you, if you’ll just rattle your jewelry.” Happy 86th day of birth wishes to Beatles founding member John Lennon. “Imagine?” 86!! ● Happy birthday wishes to a friend of many years, hardball hero Dave Caiazzo. As a 13-yearold I had the honor of standing in the batter’s box once as a “Star” in the Malden BRL facing Cai on the mound. Three pitches later I was back on the bench sitting between Norm and Mark (Pashoian). Pure magic on the mound. ● Speaking of Extreme...congratulations on the recent nuptials of bassist extraordinaire Pat Badger to his lovely bride Melanie. Word on the Vineyard was that it was a star-studded affair with one of Pat’s very besties MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 17 FLEET CARD Check Out Our LOW PRICES!
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