Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 17, 2025 ~ Malden Musings ~ The 2025 Edgeworth Bocce Tournament Finals By Peter Levine T his is a Malden story. This is our story. From Linden to Maplewood to Oak Grove to Amerige and all points in between. This is but one of our stories... The inaugural Edgeworth Bocce Tournament rolled into history on a warm September Saturday night, the kind of night where the air still hangs heavy with summer but the postSaint Rocco Feast whispers of fall sneak in. It was only supposed to be for bragging rights among a tightknit crew of lifelong paisans — but in real life, in Edgeworth, bragging rights are sacred currency. These were the same friends who survived Ms. Willard’s icy glare (aka thunderbolts) back in their Emerson School days, so a little bocce ball tension was but a piece of cake. The battleground? Marco DiScipio’s backyard arena on Pearl Street, freshly groomed and lit like the Boston Garden (well… if the old Garden had citronella candles and a cooler full of Bud Light). The competition was fierce, the banter relentless, and every roll came with a side of Larry Bird–type trash talk. Some called it skill, others swore it was sheer luck, but one thing was certain — this was bocce at its grittiest. After hours of sweat, merry making, copious amounts of spirits consumed and more than a few “creative” interpretations of the rules, the dust settled. Crowned champions: Billy Smeglin (yes, that Billy Smeglin, the ICL Hall of Famer himself) and his partner-in-preciFront row: Mario Russo, Marco DiScipio, Billy Smeglin and Dommy Bucci. Back row: Steve Pulsifer, Kenny Bucci, David Zinetti and Dickie Santo. Mid-grade Regular 2.78 3.37 3.37 $3.47 Over 47 Years of Excellence! 1978 - 2025 ULS Full Service $2.99 Order online at angelosoil.com sion Marco DiScipio. Against all odds — and despite whispers of shady maneuvers and downright scandalous shenanigans — they stood victorious. The trophy? Eternal neighborhood glory… until next year “if the good Lord’s willing and the crick don’t rise.” The roster of players this evening was a virtual Who’s Who of Edgeworth characters from days of yore: buskers, huskers, dawn to duskers — swimmers, sinkers, fools and thinkers; everyone you’ve ever seen and all the rest Be prepared before the next power outage. Receive a free 5-year warranty with qualifying purchase* - valued at $535. Call 866-852-0221 to schedule your free quote! in between. Brothers Dom and Ken Bucci came out of hibernation for this special event and needed no time dusting off the cobwebs. Dickie (Santo’s) wife Kim (Bionelli) gave him a special permission slip to participate but warned that he would be sleeping in the back hall if he didn’t bring home the bacon (and maybe a couple of slices of Sicilian from Pisa Pizza)! Yes, just like her little brother Johnny, a take control Maldonian! You know David Zinetti because he’s been the face of Edgeworth Appliance (President actually) “since goodness knows when” (another Stooge line shamelessly lifted) and has been the reliable go-to guy for all your major home appliances. Always going the extra mile for his customers and Malden! As you can see, an all-star cast of palsy-walsy types. And now a word from our sponsor...Dickie Santo: “This was our first bocce tournament! Hardly what you would compare to the league over at the Citizens’ Club! Those guys are fanatical! Marco (DiScipio) is one of the last men standing living in the neighborhood at his childhood home on Pearl. He lives next to the old Brandano’s Restaurant where Richie Cremone made his bones. First as an iconic chef, then as a larger-than-life personality. Recently retired City of Malden HR Director and Springsteen groupie, Anthony Chiccuarelli, also still lives in Malden (Revere line). But just about everyone else from the old gang has bolted. Billy ‘Smegs’ Smeglin lives in Wakefield. Zinetti in Middleton. Kenny Bucci is in Lynnfield. Mario Russo splits time between his condos in Fort Myers, FL and Maine. Dommy ‘Boo Boo’ Bucci lives in West Peabody (another Maldonian living in North Malden!). Steve Pulsifer splits his time between his cribs in western Mass and South Carolina. Peter Chiacchia lives in Saint Petersburg, FL. My beautiful bride (Kim) and I (best decision I ever made in my life marrying that gal) live in Reading. Greg DeCandia lives in Revere and still looks like he could compete on the baseball diamond. Billy Pitts is in Lowell. Phillip ‘Dommy’s Little Brother’ DiSario is in Tewksbury. Vinny ‘Wizard’ Pagliccia is in Everett. Vinnie’s big brother Joe ‘Bag of Donuts’ Pagliccia is at Station Landing in Meffa and swears by the Calamari Siciliani at Polcari’s! Dommy ‘The Prince of Peace’ Settemio calls Eastie home but is a frequent guest of Malden often visiting big brother Billy and keeping in close contact with fellow 1976 classmate, Mr. Social Butterfly hisself, Frankie Levine. FLEET CARD Check Out Our LOW PRICES!
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