Page 2 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 15, 2019 “Malden: today, tomorrow and yesterday” salutes John O’Brien By Peter F. Levine J ohn O’Brien. The name should sound familiar to those who read my columns on a regular basis. I’ve reprinted many of his “Musings” over the years and have featured stories written by his (also) talented son, David. John was a muchloved educator at Malden High School for many years. An incomparable storyteller, his admirers are legion. An accomplished playwright and actor who tackled issues nearest and dearest to his heart. A very principled man who would often speak truth to power. His progressive ideals way ahead of his time. Truth be told when I attended Malden High School our paths hardly ever crossed. A nod to each other on occasion as we passed each other in the hall or a polite “how ya doin” as he raced past me in Malden Square with his trademark soft hat and overcoat. Mr. O’Brien coached track. I did not compete. His English class bypassed me as I struggled with other curriculum. I did not have the acting chops Rosemary Mayne, Dave Surette or Peter Zschokke had in order to be in that wonderful little creative world that existed in the high school at the time. It was later that I discovered his “Musings” column and became a big fan. His love of wordplay ranged from “groaner” puns to subtle wit – both on full display in his columns. I loved it! Thought they were incredibly clever. Here are just a scant few thumbnail sketches of this man’s extraordinary life by people who knew him best: I did not know his daughter Ellen very well. Saw her at the Y a lot back in the day (great swimmer); she later became a successful reporter at the Boston Globe. John’s obituary in the Globe was peppered with Ellen’s remembrances: “For me he was just a fascinating juxtaposition. He was profoundly polite, he held doors and never interrupted, and I never remember hearing him curse except in dramatic situations. Everybody was shocked when he did ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ – the David Mamet play known for its bursts of profanity. At the same time he was wearing political T-shirts protesting the war in Iraq, even when he was sick with pancreatic cancer.” His obituary noted that “preferring public transportation, or better yet shoe leather, Mr. O’Brien did not own a car.” Ellen continued: “He was the coolest guy in town. I’d be walking down the street with him, and people would call out, Hey Mr. O’Brien, you want a ride? And he loved to say, ‘No thanks, I’m in a hurry’” TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS The late, great John O’Brien I spent a lot of time with his MALDEN AUTO BODY OF EVERETT INC., HAS BEEN A LANDMARK ON RTE 99 IN EVERETT AND WAS RECENTLY TORN DOWN TO MAKE WAY FOR THE ENCORE RESORT CASINO PROJECT. ALTHOUGH WE REGRET DEARLY HAVING TO LEAVE OUR EVERETT FACILITY WHICH WAS OUR HOME FOR OVER 50 YEARS. WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEW HOME AT 9 WHITMAN ST MALDEN. IT HAS A VERY SIMILAR LOOK AND WE STILL HAVE THE SAME PHONE NUMBER AND STAFF. WE OFFER THE SAME EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AND DELIVER YOU THE SAME QUALITY WORK AS ALWAYS. WE VALUE YOUR LOYALTY AND HOPE YOU CAN CONSIDER ALLOWING US TO HANDLE ALL YOUR AUTO BODY NEEDS. WE OFFER YOU INSURANCE CLAIMS ASSISTANCE AND ARRANGE ENTERPRISE RENTALS. WE WORK WITH MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES AND OFFER YOU A SMOOTH EXPERIENCE IN GETTING YOUR VEHICLE BACK TO PRE-ACCIDENT CONDITION. WE OFFER 24/7 TOWING SERVICE TO OUR SHOP. PLEASE DON’T HESITIATE TO CONTACT US IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF OUR SERVICES, OR JUST STOP BY TO SAY HI. PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE OTHER BODY SHOPS WITH SIMILAR NAMES SO MAKE SURE YOU COME TO 9 WHITMAN STREET MALDEN AND ASK FOR JIM. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL MALDEN AUTO BODY OF EVERETT INC., JAMES MASSONE PRESIDENT. WE HAVE BEEN A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS SINCE 1947 AND PLAN TO CONTINUE SERVING THE GREATER BOSTON AREA FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. MALDEN AUTO BODY 9 Whitman St., Malden 617-389-3030 PHONE 617-389-7578 FAX EMAIL: MALDENAB@YAHOO.COM youngest son, David, in high school and beyond. Dave is a talented author and has contributed to my columns on a number of occasions some outstanding and thoughtful pieces. Dave was a competitive athlete – never the most talented “athlete,” but his work ethic and intelligence earned him a spot in the MHS Athletic Hall of Fame. We spent many a night reading literature, discussing the classics and comparing each other’s favorite authors on the Bandstand at Devir Park back in the day. Insert a great big smiley face. Dave was kind enough to share this story of hanging with his pops – take it away Dave: “I was at a regular-season Sox game with my dad, John O’Brien. He, and perhaps surprisingly, stood for the National Anthem with his cap over his heart. I noticed him looking at an empty seat. A rare thing at Fenway. And I remember thinking: He’s writing. The anthem fi nished. We sat down. I thought: Here we go. And this is the story my father told me: ‘It’s game seven of the ALCS. Sox versus Yanks. A guy ducks out of work, goes to an ATM, and gives a thousand dollars to a scalper. He fi nds his seat. And at the end of the second inning he realizes that the seat next to him is still empty. So, he turns to the old man sitting on the other side of the empty seat and says: Hey, mister: This must be the only empty seat in the ballpark. The old man looks at the empty seat and says: That was my wife’s seat. We’ve had these season tickets for forty years. And even though she wasn’t interested in baseball, she came to every single game just to keep me company. “Our Time Together,” she called it. It made her happy just to be near me. She would knit her way through a double-header with a smile on her face. She was the most amazing woman. And I was the luckiest husband anywhere, ever. But she died...recently. And the guy says: Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss. And I know it’s not my business. But don’t O’BRIEN | SEE PAGE 10
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