Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, DECEmbEr 15, 2023 ~ The Old Sachem ~ Saugus High Sports, 1975 to 1979 T By Bill Stewart he 1975 Sachems footbal l team tied for first place in the league. The 1977 football team won the Northeast Conference Championship with a 9 and 1 record. There were major contributors by Captains Dan Hashem and Frank Dole. In 1976, the soccer team had a 14-4 record and six players represented Saugus in the all-star game: Mike Celata, Jeff Fioravanti, Paul Galvin, Roy Skidmore, Bob Stewart and Paul Dancewicz. Fioravanti led the conference in scoring with 26 goals and 11 assists. Celata was second with 8 goals and 12 assists. The 1975 golf team in its third season included Brian Christie, Will Stewart, Jim Duplisea, Dan McLean, Dan Westaway, Charlie Pollack, Bob Burns and Dino Fabrizio. The boys’ track team of 1975 had 7 wins and 3 losses. Among the high scorers were Doug Mackie in the discus and Bob Smith in both the one and two miles. Newcomers were Steve Gannon and Paul Galvin. Saugus High’s wrestling team had its best season in 1977, compiling a 15 and 3 record. Captains were Craig Warren and Bob DePesa. Seniors on the team were Pat Barb, Rick Brunnell and Darwin Myers. In six seasons the team had a winning season. In 1978 Bob DePesa had second place in the State Meet in the 10 pounds category. Bill Mitchell, Mat Wall, Walt 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 Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? For more info, call (857) 249-7882 JOHN MACKEY & ASSOCIATES ~ Attorneys at Law ~ * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES 14 Norwood Street Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.JMACKEYLAW.COM Cordeau and Kevin Bard contributed wins. The 1975 swim team included Doris Nolan, captain Jim Maccario, Bonnie Holt, Laurie Otte, Janice Wolfe, Bernie Furlong, Liz Lumsden and Frank Price. In 1975, the Sachems hockey team came back to a winning record: 12 wins, 8 losses and a tie. The captains were Jim Scannell and Scott and Dave Couterier. Scott Anderson was the league leading scorer for Saugus. The 1976 team had a record of 13-3-2 led by senior captains Tom Heaney and Bill Grenara. In the State Tournament they beat South Boston in Boston Garden. I have written previously about the 1977 team that went all the way to the semifinals in the State Tournament. Saugus High’s baseball team of ’75 finished third in the N.E. Conference with an 11 and 7 record. Standouts for the team were Joe Markowski, Steve DesLoges, Marc Corson, Mike Burt and Paul Carbone. T he Sa chems g i r ls ’ cross-country team of 1978 finished fourth in the conference at 6 wins and 3 losses. The team was led by captains Carol DiVaio and Michelle Forni. Seniors were DiVaio, Julie Ludwig and Eileen Kane. In 1978, the girls’ field hockey team made history as they came in first in the Northeastern Conference, finishing the season at 10 wins, 2 losses and 2 ties. League All-Stars included Julie Fahy, Debbie Serino and Katey McCormack. The 1979 team went to the quarter-finals of the state, and goalie Chris DeSantis had 11 shutouts. Mary Lee Wall led the league in scoring. The girls’ gymnastic team of 1975 had Andrea Pelosi and Kathy Cargill as captains. Many of the members competed in the All-Star meet at Salem High School, and Kathy Cargill competed in the State Competition. Girls’ basketball had a successful season in 1975, as the team finished second in the Northeastern Conference with a 15 and 3 record. Captains were Joan Barnes and Katrina Cash. The team made the quarter-finals of the state tournament. The 1977 team had a 15 and 3 season with captains Cheryl Mancuso and Vallerie Cassella. Senior Andrea Occhipinti scored 261 points and 187 rebounds, and Terry Dancewicz scored 123 points. Maureen Glynn and Occhipinti were named to the conference all-star team. The 1978 season had a very good season and made the “The Old Sachem,” Bill Stewart (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Joanie Allbee) state tourney. The 1975 girls’ softball team had a record of 12 wins and 1 loss and were cochamps of the Northeastern Conference. They lost to Methuen in the quarter-finals of the states. Nancy Barrett was captain, and the team included Ellen Walker, Cindy Hashem, Linda Shell Occhipinti, Pat Carter, Cassella, Glynn, Diane Alimonti, Catrina Cash, Robin McQueen, Norma Barnes and Dawn Henderson. (Editor’s Note: Bill Stewart, who is better known to Saugus Advocate readers as “The Old Sachem,” writes a weekly column about sports – and sometimes he opines on current or historical events or famous people.) ~ Guest Commentary ~ In Appreciation of John O’Brien’s four decades of public service at Register of Deeds By Nancy Fitzgerald Doherty O n January 5th, 25-year-old John O’Brien was sworn in as the 24th Register of Deeds for Southern Essex County (including 1636-1637, Clerk of Quarter Courts in Salem & Ipswich). Over the next four decades, John O’Brien would become a champion for the people in his district and nationwide – a forward thinker and solution finder. Over the years, he’s pushed for the advancement of technology while protecting the integrity of the land recordation system. He was also a pioneer in electronic recording of Land Court Documents. There’s a reason why he won a Smithsonian award for innovative use of technology. John’s progressive thinking moved all areas of this Registry forward. He lived by the motto “How May We Help You!” – operating the Registry like a family-owned business. He hit the street with outreach programs, created a free Property Fraud Watch Alert program, and always had an open-door policy for employees, constituents, friends, and family. As this year is about to end, so does John’s tenure as Register. A four-decade career as a public official is quite astonishing. His dedication to the people of the Southern Essex District is an inspiration. The phrase “thank you for your service” seems trivial for the 46 years, 11 months, and 26 days, or 17,161 days he has been in office. John, we’ll remember you not only as the longest-serving Register of Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds but as a great man full of humor, wit, and compassion.
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