THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JAnUAry 31, 2025 Page 3 ~The Advocate Asks~ Howie Conley recalls how what began “as a joke” evolved into the popular local singing group the Memorylaners Editor’s Note: For this week’s column, we sat down with Howie Conley, the Saugus resident behind the popular local musical group the Memorylaners, which performs oldies from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Howie is an 82-year-old Winthrop native who graduated in 1960 from Winthrop High School. He met his future wife, the former Helen E. Dineen, a 1962 Saugus High School graduate, at the old Sears, Roebuck & Co. store at the mall in Saugus when it first opened in September of 1960. They got married in April of 1964 and will celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary this year. Howie worked for 37 years at American Airlines at Boston Logan International Airport as a crew chief on the ramp. Helen, who goes by the nickname of “Cookie,” was a teacher for 34 years at the Saugus YMCA. The Conleys have two daughters – both Saugus High graduates who went into the teaching profession. Candace Conley, from the Saugus High Class of 1983, teaches for Revere Public Schools. Her sister, Kelli Martin, who graduated from Saugus High in 1989, teaches in Houston, Tex., and has two children. The Conleys recently became great-grandparents. Howie was a standout athlete at Winthrop High, starring in basketball and baseball – sports that got him inducted into the RON’S OIL Call For PRICE MELROSE, MA 02176 NEW CUSTOMER’S WELCOME ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER (781) 397-1930 OR (781) 662-8884 100 GALLON MINIMUM Great Classified Ad Rates! Call 781-233-4446 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut Street CURRENT MEMORYLANERS MEMBERS: Pictured from left to right are Howie Conley, Ann Lamphere, John Clement and Mike Kastelnelis. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) school’s sports Hall of Fame. He considers hockey his best sport. But there was no hockey team when he attended Winthrop High. He continues to serve as a member of the school’s Hall of Fame Committee. Howie considers himself “a Saugus guy,” but said he plans to be buried in a Winthrop High hockey jersey. He played for years in hockey senior leagues at Hockeytown USA and Kasabuski Rink in Saugus. A small group of hockey buddies he hung out with decided to dabble in oldies music when they were in their 60s, and the rest is local entertainment history. The group was originally called the Seniortones. His hockey buddies lasted several years and were replaced by others over the years. About eight years ago, the group changed its name to the Memorylaners. Highlights of this week’s interview follow. Q: How did the Memorylaners originate? A: It all started with a small group of guys in their 60s who loved to play hockey in Saugus. Singing in the shower – that’s how it started – it was a total joke. We were singing in the shower, and I said, “Let’s start a group.” And they all laughed at me and one of them said to me, “You serious?” And I said, “Why not? Let’s go to some nursing homes. We’ll wear black shirts and old fedora hats and put on any tie you want.” We did it. It worked! We PERFORMING AT FOUNDER’S DAY LAST SEPTEMBER: Pictured from left to right on a stage in front of Saugus Town Hall are John Clement, Robin Healey, Ann Lamphere and Howie Conley. Healey was a substitute for Mike Kastelnelis. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) started singing in the nursing homes. After a few years, the hockey guys gave it up. But I ASKS | SEE PAGE 5 We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-7 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday $11.00 Price includes Roller Skates 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required Private Parties Private Parties 4-8 p.m. $10.00 8:30-11 p.m. $11. 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required 12-9 p.m. $10.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com
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