Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 13, 2024 Francis Donald ‘Don’ Cochran, of Malden, 88; as former Commissioner, helped modernize Mass. Probation Department A Xaverian Brother, teacher and Athletic Director at Malden Catholic in 1960s, National Probation Executives President, professor at Northeastern By Ron Cochran F rancis Donald Cochran, known to many as Don, passed away on November 8, 2024, at the age of 86 while living at Forestdale Park Senior Living in Malden. A quiet yet transformative figure in the field of criminal justice, Don’s career left an indelible mark on the probation system in Massachusetts and beyond. His legacy is one of leadership, innovation and unwavering dedication to public service. Born on November 1, 1938, in the Winter Hill neighborhood of Somerville, Massachusetts, Don’s life was grounded in humility and purpose. After graduating from Somerville High School, he worked at the Stride Rite shoe factory in Roxbury before heeding a deeper calling to join the Xaverian Brotherhood. As a Xaverian Brother, Don became a teacher and Athletic Director at Malden Catholic High School in the 1960s, mentoring students and instilling in them MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 6 the heartbeat of the place. You didn’t just get a meal; you got the feeling you were part of something larger, something warm and unspoken. A smile, a quick chat, a wisecrack or two and the knowledge that these were the women who would bring your meal to you with love – served with a side of endearment, even before you took your first bite. The regulars who gave the place “character,” such as Paul “Smokey” Cole, Jimmy Damiano, Billy Gordon, Tommy Walsh from the Gas Company, Johnny Kerrigan, Tommy Bennett and, of course, Walter Hook, whose claim to fame was being one of the arresting officers of the alleged Boston Strangler Albert DeSalvo. And let’s be real Maldonia – once again, how could we ever forget that famous Highland pizza? The signature dish that put the Highland on the map – so sacred that Dave Angelo guards Francis Donald ‘Don’ Cochran (Courtesy photo) the values of discipline and perseverance. He eventually left the Brotherhood and later married Maureen Callahan, a nurse and former nun who had served as a community health nurse in the Bronx. Together, they shared 48 years of marriage. Don’s contributions to the criminal justice field are monumental. Over 26 years in the Massachusetts Probation Department, including 12 years as Commissioner, Don led the the recipe today like it’s a family heirloom. A large cheese pizza for $2.60? Unheard of. Extra toppings for 35 cents? You could practically build your dream pie for pocket change. But it wasn’t just the price. It was the taste – that taste, which lived somewhere between crispy, golden perfection and warm, gooey comfort. A pizza baked from an oven so ancient, it practically whispered secrets of every plate that had ever been slid out onto that countertop (truth be told, many of them were mine!). Those nights sitting at the bar – cold Schlitz in hand, the heat of that pie searing the air – felt like you were part of something that would never end. A slow, steady buzz filled the air as the best bartenders in Malden – Paul Gennetti, Ernie Ardolino Sr., Kevin Hanley, Pete Trabucco, Richie Morando, John Puleo, Jimmy Cahill and the one and only Dave Angelo – served drinks that felt like history itself. A Beefeater Martini, Scarlett O’Hara modernization of the probation system. Under his leadership, the department transitioned from outdated, manual processes to a streamlined, computerized database of criminal records, freeing probation officers to focus on direct supervision and rehabilitation of offenders. This shift revolutionized how probation was managed, earning Massachusetts national recognition for its forward-thinking approach. An influential national figure, Don served two terms as President of the National Association of Probation Executives and authored numerous articles in prestigious journals, such as JAMA, Federal Probation Journal and the Journal of Crime and Delinquency. His work on initiatives like “Operation Nightlight,” which paired police officers with probation officers to enforce curfews and reduce recidivism, became a model for other states. Even during his tenure, the media noted his quiet demeanor and preference for action over accolades. As one or a Sloe Gin Fizz – all poured with skill – each one an invitation to forget the outside world and sink into the world that existed only inside the Highland, a world where one phone call, by one bartender to his wife, will live in infamy, forever etched into our collective consciousness until death do us part. Insert a great big smiley face. And the food!? It was the kind of food that was more than just a meal; it was a symbol of comfort, of home and of those unforgettable nights. A time and a place we will never, ever forget. There was a rhythm to it all: the familiar faces, the classic hits on the jukebox – ”Feelings” by Morris Albert, “Rhinestone Cowboy” by Glen Campbell, “It Only Takes a Minute” by Tavares – and the jibber-jabber of old friends swapping stories after a game of hoop, bocce or softball. Those were the moments that defined the space, made it sacred. And when the last song played, when the lights dimmed and the laughter faded Boston Globe article stated, “Don never sought the limelight, but his accomplishments speak volumes.” In retirement, Don continued to share his expertise as a professor at Northeastern University, teaching alongside prominent figures, such as former Governor Mike Dukakis and former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger. His passion for education and mentorship endured, and he inspired countless students and colleagues to approach criminal justice with integrity and compassion. Don’s academic achievements were equally impressive. A lifelong learner, he earned degrees from Stonehill College, Northeastern University and Salem State College and ultimately a Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts Boston. His intellectual curiosity and dedication to self-improvement were a hallmark of his character. Beyond his professional achievements, Don was deeply into the night, the memories didn’t fade. They stuck to the walls that Frankie Schifano renovated. They stayed alive in every corner of that building, in every sip of brew, in every bite of pizza, to this very day. In the years that followed, you’d think of those nights when the world felt a little less complicated – when the bar stools and booths at the Highland weren’t just seats, but little corners of comfort, like home. And even now, when you look at that menu, with its quaint prices and faded ink, you can still hear the laughter, still taste the pizza and still feel the warmth of the people who made that place more than just a restaurant. It was a sanctuary, a gathering place, a living, breathing part of Malden. And while we can never quite go back to those days, the memories live on. Kris Kristofferson’s words never rang truer: “I’d trade all my tomorrows for one single [Highland] yesterday.” And in Malden, at the Highcommitted to serving his community. He volunteered extensively at the Adventist Community Services Food Pantry in Stoneham and with “Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic” in Cambridge, demonstrating his belief in uplifting others through acts of kindness. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Maureen, and his siblings David, Roy, Barbara Levine (née Cochran) and Helen Brown (née Cochran), Don cherished his family and shared close relationships with his many nieces and nephews. He will be remembered as a man of wisdom, humility and profound impact – a quiet force for good who shaped the lives of those around him. Don Cochran’s legacy will live on in the innovations he championed, the students he mentored and the countless lives he touched. As we reflect on his extraordinary life, we are reminded of the power of quiet leadership and steadfast dedication to service. land, those yesterday’s still shine. The best is yet to come... You probably thought Dave Angelo from Public Facilities was just another pretty face, didn’t ya? Wrong! Dave’s not just holding his own – he’s gunning for the title of “Top Dog,” nipping at the heels of Mike “The Professional” Bartlett as one of Eric Rubin’s best hires (newcomer Mike Martorano is said to be an up and comer also). But for anyone who knows his past, it’s no surprise. Before his Public Facilities journey, Dave was the backbone at Stinger Cahill’s Forestdale Cemetery (frankly, truth be told, word is that he made Stinger the star that he became) years after being kingpin in the local restaurant scene, the heart and soul behind the legendary Highland Café – that family-run haven with a history as rich as Dave’s memory. Dave grew up in that iconic joint, practically raised in the MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 17
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