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I went to Ellis Brett Elementary School from 1970 to 1976 (except for fourth grade, when I went to the then-called “Goddard School” (for the AP kids). Then I attended West Junior High until ’78. My parents divorced and we moved to Randolph with our Mom at the end of my 8th grade year. So, a miserable year in Randolph in 9th grade, Archbishop Williams for 10th and 11th grade, then finally to Brockton High School for senior year, back with my old friends to graduate in ’82 together.
Our Elementary school was the Ellis Brett School on the West side, near a back entrance to D.W. Field Park. We never called it “the Brett school”, or “EB” or anything shortened… always “Ellis Brett”, pronounced by everyone as one word with an ‘s-p’ instead of a ‘B’, as in, “Ellisprett.”
At Ellis Brett, first, second, and third grades were on the first floor; fourth, fifth, and sixth were on the second floor, as was the principal’s office and the nurse, two classrooms per grade. I remember some of our teachers: Miss Barbara Lyons, Miss Quan, Mrs. Carridi, Miss Yarletts, and Mr. Alan Jolly. Mrs Sneirson was a third grade teacher who looked exactly like Cher, to us anyway.
We had some kind of an audio-visual closet we called the “A/V room” on the first floor, where the overhead projectors were kept – very high-tech for 1973. Some of the teachers would let us run off papers on the mimeograph, that cylindric hand-crank machine that grinded out violet toned copies, and we would return to class with our hands all purple from the ink and carbon paper. Anyone who was in Miss Lyons’ class will remember that interesting musical instrument, the “autoharp”. Whenever Miss Lyons got out the autoharp for music class I was thrilled. Fascinated by this interesting musical instrument, I vowed to own one and learn how to play it some day. Maybe it’s not too late.
We had to go down to the basement to get our milk during lunch, because we didn’t have a cafeteria (milk went from three to five cents when we were in the third grade). And because we also didn’t have a gym, our recess was outdoors on the “blacktop”, but whenever it rained we had “indoor recess” where we pushed our desks to the sides of the room and played dodge ball right there in the classroom. Occasionally Mr. Boutin, the gym teacher, would break out the “batacas”, those big red overstuffed bats you were supposed to hit a ball with, but we usually ended up just beating the shit out of each other instead.
I also remember Mrs. Daversa, I think she was a lunch monitor. She once yelled at me, Jennifer Shinnick, and Leslie Kram, because we were “bold”, and made us stand against the wall for recess… the big punishment for us kids at Ellis Brett in the 70’s. Fred Hebshie hung around with all the Jewish kids (there were only about five Jewish kids in our class at the time), and I always thought he was Jewish, too, until I ran into him years later as an adult. I saw him one day during the holiday season while he was managing a large grocery store. I said, “Hey, Fred! Happy Hannukah!” He looked at me and said, “Why does everybody think I’m Jewish?” We both cracked up laughing. We were all too young to date back then, but boys and girls had that typical kid-crush going on. I think Fred had a crush on Erin Clancy, Erin had a crush on Jon Weiner, I had a crush on Steven Cardinal, and Chuckie DeStefano had a crush on me. Steven Cardinal moved away in our sixth grade year. Me, Ginny Mara, Joan Conley, Patti Comeau and a few others were in the same Brownie troupe. Ginny used to say she hated her middle name, because it was more of a last name than a ‘real’ name. It was “Foss”. That always stuck in my head. I always thought Virginia was a beautiful name, so that balanced it out.
Marshall Anderson came to Ellis Brett during the third grade. He moved into Kim Vallaincourt’s old house on Ash Street. He had a very charming personality, and Marshall and I were instantly great friends; we still are. I think Marshall is still friends with everyone.
Erin and I were the shortest kids in the school – Miss Lyons used to measure us every day on the wall in the classroom. I remember Jeffrey Benefit (he was a grade younger than us) was one of the best kickball players ever to attend our little 12-room school. Linda Baroncelli was the best athlete out of us girls, and she could give any of the boys a run for their money in kickball, softball, or even a foot race. She used to wear one of those sailor’s rope bracelets, and I thought she was so cool because she was left-handed. John Verminck was double-jointed and could bend his arm backwards at the elbow. He also used to bring little containers of ketchup for lunch and just eat that with a spoon. Steven Noel and Steven Cardinal used to say, “WHOA-dett!” all the time. I have no idea why.
Near the corner of Pleasant and Ash Streets there were several shops we frequented near our beloved “Ellisprett”. Dunnington’s Pharmacy was right on the corner, and it was where all us kids from “around the blocks” went to run errands for our parents. In my case, I’d run up with seventy-five cents in my hand to get my Dad a pack of True blue cigarettes, which were fifty cents a pack. Yes, times were simpler back then, and kids could happily buy cigarettes and probably anything else without having to go through federal government background checks. I got to keep the remaining quarter and usually bought a Butterfinger candy bar with that. Then there was Mrs. Foster’s candy store, and after school we’d all go there for penny candy. At Mrs. Foster’s, you could fill up a little brown paper sack with all kinds of penny candy… paper strips of candy dots, hot balls, root beer barrels, and wax drinks. There were also these weird little candies shaped like UFOs called ‘flying saucers’, that were basically two pieces of styrofoam filled with tiny BB’s. They tasted like communion wafers and sometimes got stuck on the roof of your mouth. Mrs. Foster’s later became Moraine Variety, and somehow it just wasn’t the same. Cassani’s Restaurant was also a big hit, and it was special to us because we knew Michael Cassani, and his family owned it. They had the absolute BEST Italian meatball subs ever.
We went Downtown to go to Saint Patrick’s for church. The Y was there, and many of us had families who joined. We’d see each other at the pool, or at craft fairs, or any one of our CCD sporting events that were held there. The Brockton City Hall and the Brockton Public Library were two of the most beautiful buildings in the whole city. To me, as a kid, they were luxurious examples of brick and wood and artwork. We shopped over at the end of Belmont Ave at a discount department store called King’s, and across from that was the Brockton Public Market, or “BPM”, as we called it, where we got our groceries. My Dad worked at Central Fire Station on the corner of Pleasant and Main. He was a fireman on Squad A for the Brockton Fire Department and when I’d go to the station with my friends, the guys let us climb all over the “hook and ladder” truck.
At one very disturbing time in this era (1974), a little boy named David Louison disappeared, and it became national news. Every elementary school in the country began a massive safety campaign to educate us naïve youngsters on personal safety and “stranger danger.” Sadly, the little Louison boy’s remains were found in an abandoned building six years later. I will never forget David, or the echoes of all the voices calling his name for weeks. I believe his father eventually became instrumental in the “Missing Children” pictures on the milk cartons. Thus began our journey toward reality and growing up in the modern age.
At West Junior High, I remember Mr. Nax, Mr. Socarides (how old was he, anyway?), and Mr. Dahlborg, the science teacher. Homerooms were alphabetical by last name, so poor David Clisbee had to sit between Erin Clancy and me, passing our notes back and forth through him. Someone put tacks on Mr. Nax’s chair on April Fool’s Day, obviously an inventive and creative student who I’m sure became a diplomat or a foreign affairs secretary. Our science class was alphabetical, too, and that’s where I met the Michaels, two best friends with the same name. Seating went Michael Anderson, Michael Berolini, Mimi DiGiammo… so the three of us became lab partners and ultimately pretty good friends. How we came to hang around with Amy Smith, I can’t recall, but I have a great picture of the four of us standing in front of the chalkboard… wearing very 70’s clothing. If I can find it, I will post it here.
The Ash Street playground was a great place to let off steam and run free. There was no cushioned mulch on the ground to break our falls… just rocks, dirt, and concrete. There were no low temperature plastic curvy slides, just a standard metal straight slide that I think was about eight feet high which was hot as hell in the sun and if you slid down it in the summer wearing shorts, the burns on your legs lasted for days. A rusted set of metal monkey bars, a large swing set with metal chains and wooden seats, two flat planks of wood with handles that passed for see-saws, and a metal and wood “spin-out” rounded out the playground equipment. The splinters, burns, skinned knees, twisted ankles, and broken wrists were all part of growing up.
We never came in the house until well after the “arc-lights” had come on. The corner of Spring Street and Belmont Ave. used to be a dangerous intersection and the scene of many car accidents in those days prior to the now-present traffic signs. Walking to school with our friends down West Elm Street with West Junior High waiting proudly at the end was always great fun. It was beautiful in any season, but I remember vividly when they let us out of school early during the start of the Blizzard of ’78 just how amazing a tree-lined residential street is when covered in fresh white snow, especially a street dotted with large Victorian homes. Pat, Hugh, Danny, Joann, MaryTeresa, Georgette, Phil, and so many others came into my life at West Junior High. When we were in the 7th grade, Jay McGee’s older brother Skippy, who was in the 8th, had a huge after-school fight with another big kid named Evan Young. The ongoing battle seemed to last all year. I’m fairly sure they fought at least three times that year, those good, innocent times when a fight meant a fist fight, not “bring your own guns and knives.”
I had my first date that same year, with Billy McCann, who got his picture in the paper because he turned 13 on Friday the 13th… May 13th, to be exact, another gem that has stuck in my head for eternity. We went to see “Rocky” at the Westgate Mall Cinema. Movie tickets had just increased in price to $1.25. My father wouldn’t let me call boys on the phone, and a few weeks later, Billy sent his friend Tommy Sturdevant to my locker to break up with me. He said it was because I never called him. Darlene Masefield and I tried out for the WJH cheerleaders, then quit when we realized we had to wear those little skirts and stand around in the cold. I was sad when my parents got divorced and I had to leave Brockton to move to a new town.
It was nice for me to be able to come back and graduate as a senior from Brockton High. Most of our West Junior High pals went on to be high school superstars – excelling in everything from sports to school government. I think Pat Cesarini was everything… handsome football player, class President, National Honor Society… but he was always so humble and modest and quiet. I think in our yearbook under his picture he wrote something minimal and vague, like “student government and athletics”. I used to think Mary Santry and Eileen Cashin were going to come back as Principal and Vice Principal some day. Jay McGee was going to be the next Tony Dorsett, we were sure. BHS Boxer running back #21 could bounce and zing off opposing defenses like a pinball, and was destined for greatness. We were lucky to have such a large, talented, diverse group of classmates. Having an unusual nickname like “Mimi” was unique to me… until BHS. There were at least three “Mimi”s in the class of ’82: Mimi Uhlman, Mimi Boutas, and myself; our real names were Mary, Demetria, and Marianna. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has said to me, “Oh, you graduated from Brockton High in ’82? Do you know So-and-So?” With about 1,200 seniors in our graduating class, we couldn’t possibly have known everybody.
During our senior year, my sister-in-law Elaine was also in our class of ’82. I was married and had a baby son named Ryan who was one year old during our senior year. I used to bring him to school sometimes (Mr. Bethany always let me bring him to our Sociology class… what a great class – no books, just discussion… and lots of it. Marie Murphy and I had a great time). I took three foreign languages in senior year… Dr. Taconet became one of my favorite teachers. I also took the swimming test in September to get out of having to take swimming for gym during the school year. I took archery for one of my gym electives and had this great gym teacher who was really cool and sexy named Carlyn Gombar. As my mom, “Mrs. D” was a popular English teacher in the yellow building, she and Carlyn became best friends. For years I was still able to see the fitness and style this lady exuded. Carlyn gave me the best 30th birthday card ever. It said, “The best is yet to come.” She was right, and I still have that card. Sadly, she later passed away from pancreatic cancer. What an amazing school we had: an indoor pool, a planetarium, a hockey rink, a full-blown Fine Arts building with a stage and gallery… we got used to walking about a quarter of a mile in between each class. I remember thinking six minutes was not enough time between “mods”.
Another class I had that year was Oceanography with Mr. Bohlin, who, on the first day of school, walked in the room, broke out a record player, and played “The Tide is High” by Blondie. Cindy Jones and I sat next to each other, and we thought, ‘this is going to be interesting’. I used to talk with Eric Lutz on the phone at least once a week, but we hardly ever saw each other in school. Eric was so smart, and we had many intellectual conversations that were, of course, of great importance to the future of the world. There were so many of us, and there were four separate buildings of homerooms, there was no way everyone could see everyone every day.
Because I was a mom, I didn’t participate in a lot of the normal senior year activities, so I don’t have a lot of pictures of parties and events. I did go to every football game, though. I’ve been a sports fan all my life, and our Boxers owned high school football in those days! We were champions so many times, other schools didn’t want to play us anymore. Eventually, a whole new Conference was created called “The Big Three” which included New Bedford and Durfee as well as Brockton High.
Just a few short years after graduation, Steven “Buck” Noel died tragically. Steven was the Captain of the BHS basketball team, a member of the BHS TV station, and had an extraordinary creative mind. He used to share his poetry and drawings with me. Before he died, he used to stop over and visit with me and my two little kids, telling them funny stories from when we were in elementary school. I remember those times fondly. I was devastated when I heard that he took his own life. Sadly, I missed his wake because in back then, I didn’t read the paper (who did?), and those days were before cell phones and Internet. Steven was a good old friend. [Note: Buck’s sister has graciously given us her corrected version of this statement in the comments section, see below.]
I have remained in touch with many good friends from the old Brockton days. I’m still friends with Erin Clancy, stayed in touch with Mary Santry, and I still hang out with Jay McGee. We’ve been best friends since we were 12 years old. Jay and I have stayed in touch with our old pal Phil Russell (who moved to Los Angeles in the 90’s) and still stay in touch with Chuckie Tartaglia and Marshall Anderson. Pam Kennedy and I never really knew each other in high school, but thanks to class reunions and ad-hoc get togethers over the years, we’ve become very close friends. And thanks to Facebook, other social media outlets, and the hard work by our alumni like Hugh McLoughlin, Georgette Sarkisian, Mary Teresa and many others, I think our Class of ’82 has one of the best online presences of all time.
Several years ago, Geoffrey Gouveia also passed away. A BHS football player and wrestling Captain, Jeff was a big bear of a guy. His love of life was huge, and unfortunately his appetite for living got the best of him… too much of what was available in life finally squeezed the life out of Jeff. I have a great photo that I took of Jay, Jeff, Phil, and Chuckie, sitting in a wooden booth in the first bar at George’s Café on a Thursday night, Bud bottles covering the table, chests puffed out, college t-shirts proudly worn, framed Brockton memorabilia on the walls. I still pop into George’s Cafe as often as I can, and say hi to the owner, Charley, Chuckie’s Dad. George’s Cafe is a Brockton must, as is Christo’s Restaurant, also owned and operated by another ’82 alum, our good friend, Georgia Tsaganis. Her dad and my dad and Chuckie’s dad were all good friends too, back in the day.
Brockton has seen a decline once or twice in this century, and Brockton will rise again. I feel sad that Brockton gets a bad reputation from some of the more sensational things that find their way into our media. There is a lot of history in Brockton, and much to celebrate about the “Shoe City” and the “City of Champions.” From our hometown boxers, Rocky Marciano to Marvelous Marvin Hagler, with Ken McAfee, Rudy Harris, and Rich Miano (our NFL players), and the Can-Am League professional baseball team, The Brockton Rox, Brockton is a sports town steeped in victory and tradition. And it was, and still is, a family town.
I am proud that I grew up there. I feel honored to have had the good fortune to be raised safely by blue-collar parents who valued my education and played a vital role in a hard-working town. I am thankful that I had the good fortune of being brought up with so many different people from so many different cultures, backgrounds, and interests. Brockton, Massachusetts is an intrinsic part of me. Many of our friends have relocated, but many remain. Brockton stays alive in all of us. Thank you Brockton and Brockton friends for so many great memories!
{Since this article was first written, we have also lost two other friends whose names appeared – Chuckie Tartaglia and Eileen Cashin. Our Class of ’82 bond will always be with their families, and the families of all our graduates who have since passed away.}
jeff said:
Hi Mimi,
Thanks for that trip down memory lane. Many of those names are familiar. Certainly the terms..eg; mod, George’s Cafe, Ash Street, etc. I’ve lived in the UK for most of my adult life – after a childhood in Brockton, that is. I knew Mimi Boutas. In fact, she was my first love. We dated for two years. That was back in 1980. So many memories. How is Mimi? My name, then, was Jeff Guenette. It’s now Jeff Jones.
Anyway, thanks for your blog. Jeff
Mary Ellen Vaughn said:
Jeffrey is that you? It’s SARAH! Johnny named me Sarah! You changed your name to Jeff Jones? WOW! Let me know, but I’m almost positive this is you cause you went to Oxford! Mary Ellen
John said:
Hi Jeff,
This is John Saulenas. I was a bit older than you. I remember your brother Johnny.
bostonsun said:
You’re welcome, Jeff. Thank you for reading it!
That’s so funny that you said Mimi Boutas was your first love… I always thought she was one of the prettiest girls in our class. I don’t really know her, so I don’t know how she’s doing these days. It’s interesting that you have lived in the UK for your adult life – how did you stumble onto my blog?
p.s. “Jones” is much more appropriately British than “Guenette” 🙂
Jeff said:
Hi Mimi,
Thanks again for your blog. How did I find your blog? Every now and again I do searches of people and places I’ve known. Naturally, yours popped up – a plethora of Brockton-only terms. For me, pure nostalgia ( a good thing). I used to wash dishes at Georges Cafe on Friday nights. I was saving up to see the J. Geils band in Rhode Island that year. I went to South Junior High but lived on around the Florence and Blaine St area. I knew a rough lot; the Vaughns, Whites, DeSistos and Welsh( best friends ), Rodenbushs, O’Bradys, Sullivans. After Brockton High, I went onto Mass Art in Boston, Provincetown then to Santa Cruz, CA. then to Oxford. Now, I’m a UK citizen.
God, the Ash St playground. I hated that place…too much sport, too much social exclusion for a twisted kid that was me.
My godmother, Claire, who had worked as p.a. for a number of Brockton police chiefs over the years, called me to her home on Forrest Ave. She solemly advised me to leave Brockton for my own well being. I took her advise.
I’m pretty good with faces but I don’t recognise you. Do yod know Bernadette McGrail (as was)? She was my second love – after Mimi. She lived in Whitman but went ot Brockton High.
Anyroad, thanks for all that.
Cheers, Jeff.
Richard Trudeau said:
I bought a condo off Bel Air St. in 1973 and lived there with my first wife and later my “second” (we didn’t actually tie the knot legally). I remember many of the places you mention, though I was a lot older than you. I shopped at Moraine Variety, played tennis at the Ash St. playground, ran at Rocky Marciano Stadium, and ate regularly (still do) at George’s. I now own a big house in Easton but wish I could pick it up and set it down in Brockton–I like the house but not the town. In Brockton there are all kinds of people. In Easton I meet mostly whites with too much money.
Gerald West said:
Are you serious, put a nice house in the slums of Brockton so you can be attacked with racism and live with the slums, how funny, most want to get out and you want to get in, very smart………….
Andrea said:
Hi-
I was just online looking for old Ellis Brett pictures and I came across your page. I see you went to EB-what a classic school huh? I am on facebook and started an “I love Ellis Brett” group maybe you are on FB too. Let me know I will send you a link. I went there in 1978. I lived on Spring ST right near Ash. Your page brings up alot of old memories!! Thanks!
Esther Comeau said:
Hi Andrea: I enjoyed Mimi’s page so much! I was mother to 5 kids who all went to Ellis Brett. In fact, I was PTA President for several years while Gerald Smith was President! My kids were all at EB during the 70s: Maria, Patti, Jack, Lisa and Bob (Comeau). Reading this brought back so many memories. I would love to join the “I love Ellis Brett” group. Please send me a link! Thanks.
Esther Comeau
Eric said:
Mimi:
I always knew you had a gift with words but it is a pleasure to READ them! Great job capturing the spirit of a very special time. Funny the things that stick with you all these years. Linda’s rope bracelet, penny candy, a Blondie song, Rocky with Bill McAnn. I too remember being released early from WJH during the Blizzard of ’78. Looking down West Elm from the 2nd floor library at the snow, as Lee Rafkin’s infamous prediction “this won’t amount to anything” still echoes in my head…Thanks!
Kathy Malloy Golden said:
Hi Mimi,
What great memories. You really captured what our growing up years were like. So many names that bring a smile to me as you reminisce about our classmates and teachers. It amazes me that you remember so vividly some of your interactions with friends!
I agree that it is so hard to explain what a great place Brockton was back then. There was always so much to do! And I certain age we were able to ride our bikes to all the diffent neighborhoods! I remember the first time I was allowed to ride my bike to Ash Street playground – they had the best tennis courts! and as I remember it I thought it was so cool that Nancy Padula lived so close to that great playground.
I remember too about David Lewison – so wierd that I will always remember that name – I remember people calling out his name all night, every night for weeks.
Because I lived on the other side of Belair I went to North Jr High and then I went to Cardinal Spellman so I lost touch with so many of my neighborhood and grade school friends. I just learned through your blog that Steven Noel took his life when he was a young man. How sad! Really shocked me. He was so much fun. He used to tease all the girls but he was alot of fun.
Esther Comeau said:
Reading about David Louison brought back so many memories. My son Bobby was playmates with David and I remember spending nights walking through Fields Park with a flashlight calling out his name. Sad memories
Esther Comeau
MARY said:
HI Mimi, I enjoyed reading about Ellis Brett. It brought back so many memories. I am Steve Noel’s sister. Just to set the record straight, he died in his sleep from heart failure. ( autopsy confirmed) He did have some problems prior to his death that would make people think that he did take his own life, but for a year before he died he had a steady girlfriend, his own apartment. and was very happy. We miss him very much, he was such a kind soul. Thanks for writing about him. Mary
jetsark@comcast.net said:
Hi Mary, I am at the coordinator of our class reunion and class web site and would like to pay tribute to him on the site, we graduated with him in the class of ’82. If you have any pictures and stories to help us create a memorial page, please send me an email at jetsark@comcast.net. We would love to pay tribute to a great classmate!
bostonsun said:
Hi, Mary.
Thank you so much for correcting the error. I am sorry that so many rumors have rooted themselves into that part of our youthful memories. I am grateful that you were able to find this article and that you were so generous as to kindly point out the misinformation. And I apologize to you and your family for my part in exacerbating that situation… It is true that one must always go to the source instead of relying on what we think we know as truth.
As I mentioned, Steven really was a good old friend. Chris Grosso reminded me how he and Steve and Stephen Cardinal used to slide down the banisters at Ellis Brett! I remember them getting into trouble for it every time, yet somehow never really being afraid to get caught again. Also, he used to tease me, Erin Clancy, and Nancy Padula because we were so short… and we were! haha. I remember him as being one of the tallest boys in our class. Everyone wanted to be friends with “Buck”. As adults, he was still a close friend, and it was always an adventure when he stopped by. I enjoyed his visits very much, even after he had some of his problems. Steven used to write such beautiful and strange poetry and lyrics… I never knew quite what to make of it, but I knew it was very well-written. He was so nice to my little kids. I will always remember him fondly.
Mary, I’m so sorry for the loss of your brother. Thank you for posting your comment. And thank you for being patient and thoughtful with your corrections. Brockton always has been such a “big little city”. I’m glad we have the Internet to help us set the record straight. Please feel free to get in touch whenever you’d like.
-Mimi
Eric said:
I would also like to thank Mary for the information on Buck’s untimely passing. Buck and I were also very close and a lot of people made assumptions that I am relieved to find are untrue. RIP, Buck. We love you.
Bob Canfield said:
Mimi you freak! (lmao) I just happened to come across this it and it made me smile. I am shocked, even appalled, that I got no mention at all. Not really but I wanted to sound like I was. I wasn’t very popular and just did my time trying to stay out of the way. I have often wondered what has happened to a lot of the people from way back when. I used to ask your dad about you. This is going way back into the 80’s now. My dad had the Mobil station on N. Pearl St. at the end of Oak and I seen your dad many times. I am hoping you may drop me an email and perhaps, thru your many contacts, I will be able to talk with a few of the forgotten.
bostonsun said:
Bob! Sure, I remember you. How have you been? What are you doing these days? What’s really coincidental is that a little while ago, I was talking to Erin (yes, Erin and I still hang out, after 44 years, LOL), and we were talking about all the kids from Ellis Brett. We mentioned your name, and it was like, “I wonder what ever happened to him?” So, here you are. Great to hear from you!
Bob, if you’re on Facebook, find me and send a friend request… then I’ll point you toward our Ellis Brett group and you can “meet up” with quite a few of our old friends.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Bob Canfield said:
You sure are quick. What’s up with the blond hair? I have no facebook nor interest in social networking. Please send me an email at ztb1@comcast.net and I will fill you in with details.
fay alden said:
read this by mistake, was trying to get to something else, but caught Ellis Brett and had to keep reading -I,too, went to Ellis Brett -in 1952- ’58; WJH ; then BHS -grad. in 1964 -we just had our 45th -wow reunion -coupled up with class of ’63 -was great -keep the memories going-Txs!
MARY said:
Thank you Mimi for responding to my comments. I hold nothing against you,rather I am glad to have found you. You wrote such nice things about Steve. He was 32 yrs old when he passed. Bless you and yes “rest in peace,Buck”, I remember that nickname ! You don’t have any of his poetry do you? Would love to see it. Keep in touch, Mary
joe hopkins said:
Came upon this looking up the lewison case. I grew up on Brett st and Ash st, went to Goddard Elem (it closed) then Arnone, WJHS and Brockton HS ’85. Know all you talked about but only recognized Pat C (Bpd) and McGee. Good story.
gigi johnson said:
hello, mimi!
i, like so many before me, “stumbled” upon this fantastic story by accident, when searching for one old piece of information led me to another site, and then another, and so on …
what wonderful memories! thanks for helping me remember (and laugh out loud) about so many forgotten things.
you’re right – it has been a privilege to grow up and live in brockton. it’s still the only town around here with as diverse a community and number of opportunities academically and culturally as anyone could ever want.
and, aside from your excellent memory and writing skills – you are obviously a very good and true friend, and your friends are lucky to have you. i look forward to reading more.
thanks for the story!
gigi tsaganis johnson
p.s. mr. socarides (who insisted on playing up his non-existent “responsibility” to watch out for me because of the whole greek thing) was 104 when we were in junior high. i’m sure there’s some math-related way to figure out how old he would be right now, but …..
bostonsun said:
GIGI!! I’m so happy to hear from you! I’m glad you “stumbled in”, and even happier that you commented! Thank you so much.
I tried to find you on Facebook, and I found your name and sent you a request, but I could tell that it had been a while since you signed on. lol Thanks for the Mr. Socarides clarification, too… haha. Do you know he was also my DAD’S jr. high English teacher… in 1949?!?
As far as good friends go, I count you as one of them for sure! There was just something about our class, I don’t know what – the era, the mix, the timing, the chemistry – but we have been so fortunate that so many of us were very close. For such a big group, we certainly were a tight-knit bunch.
I look forward to hearing from you again. Let’s stay in touch.
Mimi DiGiammo Claffey
Eric said:
Oh my… this has turned into quite a reunion…. hey there Gigi!
Valerie Block said:
Wow, just had some amazing flashbacks. I stumbled on your blog while looking for information on the B.B. Russell school. I went to NJH and the BHS (Class of 82) and hung around with a lot of the same kids mentioned here. Michael Anderson (played trumpet in the jazz band), he had an equally gorgeous brother as I recall. I danced in a few of the spring musicals, Brigadoon, The Music Man… Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Valerie Block
Nancy Padula said:
Hi Mimi,
How the heck are you, girl!? Good to read all of those comments on your blog. Brings back a lot of memories and names. I was happy to read the clarification on Stevie Noel from his sister, Mary, too. I was in contact with Steve until his demise. He lived across the street during our childhood, as you know. In any case, have not seen you since the last reunion I attended, which was the 20 year, remember!? Where does the time go? Ellis Brett seems like such a very, very long time ago, but I have vivid recollections, like yourself. Good days. I hope you will drop me a line, and we can have that coffee sometime we didn’t get to have. And to all my Ellis Brett and BHS pals, drop me a line!
Peace,
Nancy Padula
bostonsun said:
“Eagle Eye” Padula!!! Wow… so great to hear from you! Definitely a coffee or a drink is in order! Thanks for getting in touch with me, sistah!
jimmy disalvo said:
hi mimi im jimmy disalvo i think my sister (donna disalvo) use to hang around with your sister cindy do you have a sister cindy? we lived at 161 park rd. i went to ellis brett too. what a great site you have here. so many people i remember nancy padula omg. she has a brother charile. im sure she remembers my sister. we live across from the lovedays. is that the lovedays house in the background of the picture you have posted on the top of the page? do you remember cindy capone and the o’brians donna and beth? we moved out to california in 1977 (encinitas) about 15 miles north of san diego. donna’s married with 2 girls im happy i have no kids (lol) i do want to say hi to nancy padula hiiiiiiiiiiiii nancy padula thanks so much mimi
bostonsun said:
Hi Jimmy! Sure I remember you guys! Your sister and my sister were really good friends – and you were close – her name is Suzi which sounds close to “Cindy”, and yes, they used to hang around with Cindy Capone! My friends and I hung around with Cindy’s sister Natalina Capone, because we were a couple years older.
I even remember that you guys moved to Encinitas, because my sister was SO sad that her friend was moving far away, and we had never even heard of California! I remember our Dad showing us on a map where Encinitas was.
Wow. I’ll have to tell Suzi how Donna is doing, thanks for the update… and I’ll definitely say hi to Nancy for you. She and I are back in contact these days. Glad you’re all doing well.
Great to hear from you Jimmy. I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
Take care. Mimi
jimmy disalvo said:
HI MIMI I TOLD DONNA ABOUT YOUR SITE SHE WOULD LOVE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU AND YOUR SISTER HERE’S MY EMAIL ADD. eldojimba@yahoo.com email me and i’ll give you donna’s email address thanx jimmy disalvo
sally murphy said:
This is a greatblog-just read Mimi’s memories and they were bringing me back in time-
Although I started off at Whitman School ( not EB)I did go to WestJR High-
funny thing is my grandparents lived at 160 Park Rd and I spent every friday night there-
I have so many fond memories of playing w/Donna DeSalvo on Friday’s –I often wondered how she is doing- thanks to this blog- I now know!! I remember Carleen Loveday and Cindy Capone- such great times- thanks for giving me the trip down memory lane Mimi-
all the best, Sally Murphy
jimmy disalvo said:
mimi i’m wrong about your sisters name is it suzy?
levaFederaP said:
Great blogpost, I did not thought reading it was going to be so amazing when I looked at your title!
Annie said:
Noticed a reference to a Magee from
Brockton Mass on your site.
Am into genealogy and wondering
if any connection to Charles Magee
b Canada and resided in Brockton Mass
as did his mother Mary Flora who worked
with visiting home nurses in early 1900’s
They immigrated in about 1915 from Glengarry Ontario
area (nee McRae)
bostonsun said:
Hello, Annie.
I’m sorry, but I don’t believe there is any connection. The reference on this site is to John (Jay) McGee, whose name is spelled “Mc”, not “Magee”. Also, Mr. McGee’s family did not immigrate from Ontario. They are African-American.
Good luck with your genealogy search. That is a very interesting endeavor. 🙂
Leslie Holmquist said:
Hi
I just came across your blog and when I started reading I could not believe all the names you just dredged out of my memory. I believe I was one of your classmates from 1974. I had Mr. Jolly that year and remember ALL the names you mentioned. I once got in trouble with Ms. Daversa as well for throwing peas in lunch hour with Chris Grosso!!! Fun times. Leslie Holmquist
bostonsun said:
Hi Leslie.
We’d love to invite you to a get-together that we have in the works… some old EB/WJH alumni, just wishing to get together for some drinks and catching up! Love to have you there. If you’re interested, let me know and I’ll e-mail you the details once we have the “reunion” worked out.
I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Yes, the Ellis Brett days were most definitely fun times. We were a lucky group of kids, for sure.
Leslie Holmquist said:
sure, would love to try to come. I live up on the North Shore but my family is still in Brockton. Let me know the details and I’ll try to make it. My e-mail is rmdstudios@comcast.net
Jim Warner said:
I was searching for something with brockton in it and stumbled upon your blog. WOW. I really couldn’t believe it. I went to Ellis Brett and graduated BHS in ’78. i know all the places and most of the older siblings of the kids you mentioned. I went on to MassArt, and have been working on art/design in Boston, and then on to New York City. We know live in Chicago.
I was stunned to read all that you mentioned. I thought i was the only person who ever knew about Foster’s candy, the house that used to stand where the 7-11 is, etc. I am stunned.
thanks, good work and rememberance, and I hope to read more.
Mike Daversa said:
Hey Jim,
My name’s Mike Daversa, we went to Ellis Brett together. I can remember you back then as being a great artist. nice to see you persued it and made it a career. We had a lot of great times back then.
Mike Daversa
Lynne (Turcotte)Cesario said:
Hi Mimi,
Don’t ask me how I came upon this article, but I felt like I was in an episode of The Twilight Zone. I could have wrote this article. How funny…really lots of fun to read..thanks for the memories.
Lynne
Kurt said:
I was a Freshman in the Azure building in 1982. My father used to call Dr. Appling Mrs. Appleby. My big sister Nancy Lohnes was a 1982 alum, maybe you know her.
chris ryan said:
very well done! I was friends with Andy Cesarini in College and I knew his siblings Pat,Richie and Amy along with thier mom and dad,they were a terrific family and your right Pat was a terrfic student and athlete.YOu brought back al ot of memories, because we use to go the Georges and also Christos on the East side.
J. Warner said:
Amazing. I stumbled upon your blog. I grew up on Palmer Street. Absolutely amazing. Thanks.
David Mack said:
What great memories. I was a year ahead and I could relate to everything. I have great memories of Ellis Brett. I graduated college and moved to LA, but I long for those simpler days. I remember very clearly when David Louison was kidnapped. My brother,Dennis, worked the late shift and came home & people were yelling “David” in the woods. He ran up to my bedroom to make sure I was there. I wonder what happened to all the Ellis Brett teachers?
Cheryl Powers Irvine said:
Hi David, You spent your childhood playing with my brother Chuck and I hung around with your brother Brian and Dave Bresnick. It was a great time. I hope your well. My niece Kay posted this on my facebook and thougt I might want to say hello. I’m just sitting here reading some of the messages. Its so funny because it brings up good memories. I’m married with 8 grandchildren and loving it. Next time you visit Brockton we will have to meet up. Love Sherry Powers Irvine, say hi to Brian and David OK
Mike Paps said:
Hi Sherry
I hung around with you and Dave, and Brian as well back in the day. My memories have faded badly while some people seem to remembers everything, but I definitely remember having a crush on you. I don’t use my real name online, but this, which is the name I use on FB is close enough that you’ll likely recognize it. If you’re still getting notified of new comments I’d love to hear from you.
Lincoln Thurber said:
What an amazing flash back. You retelling brought back such fond memories of the school, the area, and the people. My older sister (Diana) and I both attended the school, and to this days still think back on what a great experience its was to be in that modest wooden school. We live on the corner of Belmont Ave and Sycamore.
Brian Clancy and Brian Heehaw(sp?) were my best friends and both lived around the corner. Brian Heehaw had a swamp in his back yard where you could catch frogs and for his birthday I gave him a Capt Kirk action figure one year. I remember there was a brook across the street from my house that curved from Park St and ran parallel on Belmont that has crayfish in it. There was also a vacant lot that was next to the brook where we would play despite being told it was full of broken glass. In 1976/77 that brook flooded, but when I came home from day camp I insisted on playing in the muddy water. My mother told me years later she was screaming from the front porch to get out of the water because it was full of rats…I didn’t care. I remember sledding in DW Field Park every winter. I remember having to tag around with my sister in here ‘Camp Fire Girls’ troop because my mother was the troop leader. I remember my best friend Brain C. got a pool and we’d try – like all kids try – to make a whirlpool by running around the sides!
I remember walking up to Dunnington’s to buy my mother a birthday presents each year. Alsom the first time I spent my own money and picked out the gift for her myself was at Dunnington’s. I remember going to “Ben the barber” on Pleasant St and McMenamy Seafood market where the man behind the counter would give me a cooked shrimp when I walked in the door. I remember when the movie Jaws came out and there was a fish tank with a shark in it at the movie theater. Moreover, when Grease came and there was a DJ outside playing 50s music. I remember going to the Annual Greek Festival each year and eating Baklava.
I have so many clear memories of Ellis Brett. However some of my top ones are the steam radiators covered with what seemed like centuries of melted crayons; the blacktop play ground and the back-field with a rusty swing sets; the Carnival the students/teachers/parents would put together (our class made a Frisbee throw game with the Incredible Hulk); the 1976 Talent Night where all the performances had a Revolutionary War theme; and being picked in my 1st-grade class to be a model for clothing from Zayre’s department store. I remember the central staircases of Ellis Brett seemed so big as a child; I remember the hooks on the walls outside the classrooms where we hung our winter coats; I remember the two big bathrooms in the basement; I remember the library with the big draw of film strips you could check out an watch on those tiny projectors with headphones; I remember figuring out that if I didn’t spend my milk money I could go to Moraine Variety at the end of the week to buy a Coke in a glass bottle; and mostly I remember walking to school rain or shine each day.
Thanks for the memories!!!
Boston Sun said:
Thanks for the great comment! So many of those things were a part of our daily lives: The brook flooding, Dunnington’s, Zayre’s, and especially Ellis Brett – the coat hooks, the radiators, the staircase… we really were a lucky bunch to have such a great place to grow up.
Gary Luciano said:
Memories of a Brockton Aging Baby Boomer
Thanks so much for this blog. My memories of Brockton date back to the days when my father, Carl Luciano, was the manager of Edgar’s Department Store on Main Street in Brockton from the 1950s (when I was born) to the early 1970s. He later went on to run all the (new name change) Almys Stores until 1986. Edgar’s was the full, city-block, 4 floor, full-service department store that sold everything from furniture to shoes to toys to paint to clothes for the entire family. It was the 1-stop shopping mecca in its day.
Having grown up with this store as my backdrop was fun. Main Street Brockton was a bustling district with lots of things to see and do. Crowded sidewalks, window displays, the Center and Colonial Movie Theaters, taking drum lessons at Central Music after school on Wednesdays, Tex Barry’s Chili Dogs, The Genova Cafe and White’s Restaurant. I also remember when The Westgate Mall opened when I was 9. Great stores like Bradlees, Gilchrist’s, Tourraine’s, Child World, Spencer Gifts, Kennedy’s Clothing Store, and Woolworth’s, (where if you ordered a banana split, the waitress would let you pop a balloon with the price you paid was inside on a piece of paper) kept us happy. For many years, both downtown Brockton stores and Westgate Mall stores coexisted with no problem.
The Best Job I Ever Had:
When I turned 16, in 1971, my very first summer job was being the copy and mail boy at The Brockton Enterprise on 60 Main. This was a very responsible job as the mail was the ONLY way to get anything delivered before fax machines, FEDEX, and the internet. I picked up the mail every morning at 7:00 at the old Brockton Post Office that was fully stuffed into an Enterprise newspaper carrier’s yellow pouch. I carried it to the newspaper office then sorted and delivered it. All the classified ad payments and newspaper subscription payments, the dated newspaper ads and editorial syndicated comic strips and columns like “Dear Abby” etc. were crucial. When this was finished, it was time to go to the post office again and repeat this 4 more times until I went home at 3:00pm.
The other main part of my job was to deliver ad proofs to all the businesses up and down Main Street. From Zayre’s at one end to Jack & Harry’s discount store at the other. We had proofs come down those old pneumatic tubes from the composing room to my desk. The stores I remember going to were Romm’s Jewelers, Frasers, Ganley’s, Edgar’s (Almy’s), A.C. Grady Sporting Goods on Legion Parkway, Smith’s Corset Shop, Fulginetti’s Furs, Holman’s Luggage, Markey’s and Linehan’s mens clothing, Robinson’s Home Appliances, Kresge’s (now K-Mart), Central Music, along with all the banks that were only open from 10:00am to 2 pm. (where the term banker’s hours came from). I walked alot and made my rounds. I knew all the merchants and they all knew me.
I also got to paint the news bulletins that were sent down to me via those pneumatic tubes from the newsroom, and displayed in the front window to a waiting audience. I loved being the copyboy in the newsroom. It was a smoke-filled and hectic place with loud clacking typewriters and ringing telephones. I also served any and all errand running for the radio station WBET (call letters stood for Brockton Enterprise and Times). We had our own local celebrity, Doc Jones, broadcast live in a glass booth on 60 Main Street, we had other radio personalities like Freddie Seymour and Dorothy Dale along with our newsman, Larry Ghiorse. It was a simpler time. Local news from a neighbor. Most people got their news from a morning big city newspaper and a local, afternoon local newspaper until that darn internet thing changed all that.
I worked at The Enterprise the following two summers doing this copyboy job. The money was excellent and I loved working there. I have fond memories of being in the newsroom during the last summer of Viet Nam and the summer of Watergate, the fall and resignations of both Spiro Agnew and Richard Nixon). Upon graduating from high school, I was accepted to a major art school in Boston and decided to attend nights, summers and weekends as I had a great opportunity to work in The Enterprise advertising department as a layout artist. It was the best of both worlds, learn graphic design in school at night and work at it during the day. I was at The Enterprise and WBET until 1976 and credit that place and experience with my going to The Boston Globe, where I was a graphic designer for almost 20 years. I learned all about retail advertising, client contact and deadlines. Important parts I still use to this day being an online web designer. Thanks again for allowing me to share my memories of Brockton
Boston Sun said:
Wow! Thank you for this great comment.
I remember listening to WBET with my Dad, and I remember going downtown with my grandmother to shop at the stores. There was a talk show on BET with a personality whose name I believe was Nick something (around 1975?), and my Dad and I used to call in and try to answer the trivia questions. My Nana owned a private kindergarten called “Happy Hours” on Sycamore Ave on the West side until the late 1960’s, and I was in the last “graduating class” at the age of 3 in 1967. After that, we used to go shopping at Edgar’s and Kresge’s, then to the Brockton Public Library and sometimes the Y for a swim, occasionally stopping for a soda at one of the fountain shops (I’ll have to think of the name!).
I love your description of working for the Enterprise. Appreciate all the information and it is clear that your memories of Brockton are as fond as mine are. I always looked forward to the Enterprise every day, because there were always many great stories about local people and events, and one was always certain to find coverage of something one had been involved in… usually with photos! Especially looked forward to clipping pictures of my Dad on the job (Brockton Fire Dept).
And thank you for subscribing. I haven’t been updating as much as I should, however, I will be making an effort to do so. 🙂 I’m also going to be adding stories my Nana is retelling to me (at the ripe old age of 93!) about her days at Happy Hours. Please stay tuned!
Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy. 🙂
Gary Luciano said:
That radio personality at WBET back in 1975 was Nick Zibelli. I was working with Jack Ainslie and him then. You have a good memory too about Brockton.
Boston Sun said:
Yes, Nick Zibelli, that’s the name. Thanks for that, it was driving me crazy… lol.
Mike Jones said:
Arthur “Doc” Jones is my Grand Uncle. I’d love to hear any additional information you may have about him. I don’t recall ever meeting him (I was 12 when he passed away) and would like to hear any stories you may have to tell.
Thanks!
cedar8 said:
Yes Arthur “Doc” Jones was a mainstay at WBET AM-FM in Brockton for many years. I grew up in the 1960s and remember him broadcasting from his glass studio right there on 60 Main Street live. In those days people gathered around the Enterprise buliding to read the latest headlines that were painted and hung in the window. It was an honor to later be the person who did that in the 1970s when I was in high school and that was my summer job. Doc Jones was a gentleman and a pleasure to work for when I became the promotion director, copywriter and spot salesman for WBET in 1976. He was our morning drive time personality who announced school closings and had the largest morning radio audience in the area. I liked and respected him very much.
wayne cram said:
Ok… I just caught this and it’s like a bolt out of the blue.. and a very welcome one. I went to EB and lived on Ash St and played street hockey with the Noels and Stevie Cardinal and had a total crush on Linda Baroncelli. Wow… scary….
Wayne
Boston Sun said:
Hey Wayne.
Thanks for commenting. Glad the article brought back some welcome memories for you! Your name sounds familiar to me too.
Wayne Cram said:
this is like the gift that keeps on giving. every time I get an email notification that someone added an entry it brings me back. I’ll never forget one day at Ellis Brett in math class the teacher (Miss Lyons?… don’t remember.. 2nd grade, I think) split the class into two groups and lined them up a few feet away from the chalkboard. the teacher would then yell out a simple addition problem like what is 9 plus 7 and the first person to run to the board and write the correct answer stayed in the game and went to back of their line while the other would go and sit down at their desk. we did this until it was just me vs. like 7 kids. and I won. I remember the class roaring. it was a lot of fun. great memory. basically the highlight of my life. haha.. kidding, but I’ve never forgotten it.
Boston Sun said:
Hey again, Wayne! That is such a fun memory! Thank you for sharing that. I remember those crazy games we used to play, too. We had some of the BEST and most creative teachers – we were lucky. Some of the shit they did would get a very good teacher fired these days, if anyone of us had had an iPhone back then, because of the whiny, “everybody gets a trophy” mentality children today have to endure… but it seriously made us BETTER and stronger people! Ah, the good old days. I am SO grateful for those EB teachers who really shaped us.
Tommy said:
That was a Great article!!! My name is Tommy Boyle and my Father tought and retired from BHS. He was the Head of the Business Dept. I was GREAT friends with Geoff Gouveia. His Son Goeffrey calls me Uncle Tommy. Is there any way I can get a copy of that pic of Geoff and the boys at George’s, It would mean alot. You can email me at 24d@comcast.net Thanks, Tommy
Boston Sun said:
Thank you for reading, Tommy. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I think I know the picture you’re talking about, and will see what I can do to get you a copy. I’ll be in touch.
Mary Gorman said:
That was a wicked cool piece to stumble across and read. I lived across the street from Ellis Brett School when I was very little, but went to West Jr High and then onto BHS. I remember going to Mrs Foster’s, too – once my teenaged uncle bought me “one of everything!” – a little brown bag of penny candy that probably cost him less than 50 cents. Ah, the good old days….
jancollinsring said:
Mimi, first let me say that I enjoyed your posts immensely! Reading them and coincidentally finding a copy of my 3rd (or 4th) grade class photo last night on the internet has my head back in the 1970s and back in my old hometown.The photo caught my eye as it looks like so many in my attic from my childhood, where I also grew up in Brockton. I had the same color house, same rhododendron bushes and wore the same impractical knee socks with dresses— obviously you hadn’t changed into your “play clothes” yet after coming home from school! I lived on Tosca Drive (near the Easton line), went to the Hancock school, West Jr High and then graduated BHS in 1980.
My groups of friends changed and expanded along with my world…or as a kid growing up in Brockton knows, along with the size of our schools and the increasing mix of pools from elementary, then the four jr. highs and into BHS where my Class had 1200 students [June 2,1980 was a sunny but LONG day with all of those students…most memorable to me was the girl who sang “To Sir, With Love” before we received our diplomas–she was really amazing and I hope she went on with her singing] I recognize a few of the last names of your friends as perhaps being the younger siblings of my classmates–I remember Cesarini as my name was Collins and as you know, everything was alphabetical. I was in the Red building. A few other names are familiar because my husband lived behind Cardinal Spellman and his friends were from that side of town. (I lived such an insulated life that I honestly thought that the Brockton town line was at Main Street until I was 16, and still didn’t grasp the true size of the city until I was much, much older.)
So what really prompted me to write was your descriptions of West Jr High. The names of the teachers, the April Fools Day prank…I have to ask, do you recall if this happened during your year there or might it have preceeded you by a year or two? I ask because this sounds vaguely familiar to me…like as in I might know who the culprit was :->
I would welcome hearing from any of my old classmates, whom are all turning 50 this year— Happy Birthday!! It’s just a number and the life expectancy is up to 84 from 62 since we graduated BHS, so 50 is the new 30!!
Jan
Boston Sun said:
Jan, thank you for such a nice response. I’m glad you enjoyed reading the post. Love the comment about the “play clothes”. So true! I’m also happy to hear from yet another “kid” who grew up in Brockton in the 70’s and has such very good memories of it! We really were very fortunate for that. Our class is having its 30th year reunion this October, and people from other close classes are welcome! I clearly remember being a senior and thinking how OLD the people were who were advertising for their 25th reunion! Haha my how times change. You’re right – 50 is the new 30… Thank you for reading & replying, and now we’ve added each other to our Brockton “network” of friends!
Greg Paul said:
I grew up in Brockton in the 50’s and 60’s. I lived in the North end and went to the Howard Elementary school and NJHS. But my cousins, the Shinnick’s, lived on Montauk Rd. and went to EB. I had to laugh when you referred to Ellisprett because that exactly how my cousins and I said it. Of course we were kids just hanging around looking for something to do, so we, or at least I never even conceived of spelling it. But if someone had asked me to, I’m sure I would have spelled it exactly the same way.
It was so nice to read of so many proud Brocktonians.. I too am proud to be from Brockton.
jimmy said:
hi greg my name is jimmy disalvo is pat shinnick your cousin? i was friends with pat i think he moved to california i’m in cal. too love to hear from you if pat is ur cuz.
Greg Paul said:
Hi Jimmy,
Yeah Patrick Shinnick is my cousin. Yes he does live in California. I saw him about 5 years ago with his brother Jim. who also lives in California. At that time they both had purchased condos or small houses on Cape Cod. I think Patrick lived near San Francisco, Daley City, I think.. I don’t know if you know his brother Jim, but the three of us spent a lot of time together in the late 60s, mostly fishing. But since 1970, I have probably only seem them two or three times.
Patrick is a good guy, he hasn’t changed much, just gotten older like the rest of us.
If you were a friend of his back in Brockton, I’m sure he would like to hear from you.
Let me know if you get in tough with him.
Jim Shinnick said:
Thanks for so many great memories. I attended EB as well and recognize many of the names mentioned. My brother, Pat Shinnick, lives in Half Moon Bay Ca. He was here in Mass for about 2 months this summer. I saw Ricky Montroni this summer as well, he has lived in North Carolina most of his life. I am in regular contact with my former neighbors, the Newells who all went to EB and still live in the Brockton area.
When I attended EB my class had perfect attendance up until the last day. Mrs Mcarty came to our room first thing in the morning ready to present an award as this was very rare. We were all seated, waiting for the bell to ring, all except George Bandis. We could see George’s house from our classroom window as he lived on Ash Street and his backyard faced the school yard. George didn’t make it before the bell and the award got filed for another day. So funny to think of it now. George drove to Ca to visit me in the 70’s. I haven’t heard from him since. I drove by EB earlier today. Always remember Mrs Fosters and so much more. After 41 years in Ca I’ve come home and now live in Walpole Ma. Brockton was an awesome place! Jim Shinnick
Al T. said:
Hi Jim, I hung around with your brother Pat and also Rick Motroni for years plus all the others in the area. I haven’t seen or heard from anyone from back then in many years but would like to. I live in NH now but always think of the old days in Brockton.
Paul DeSisto said:
Hi Mimi,
Good stuff – I also grew up in Brockton…… Florence street, was good friends with Jeff G now Jones. Hi Jeff, I hope all is well!
I have lived in Los Angeles for the past 20 years and I am still think back to James Edgar Playground, Ash street playground and all the fun we had.
Atteneded St. Patricks, South Jr. High and BHS …… It was a tough upbringing but it shaped and prepared me to handle many things in my life.
I come back to now Norton and Attelboro where my family moved every summer and I take my kids through Brockton and they are scared to drive through (sheltered kids)
But I still love to come back to Brockton….. The Italian Kitchen and Cape Cod Cafe for Pizza and the drive-in on the south side.
Brockton will always be a very special place for me!
Janet Honaker said:
Wow Did I just walk into a time machine, what a great thing to read. Some of the best years of my life at Ellis Brett all 6 years. I don’t know if you remember me I left right after that and moved away due to my mom’s passing. My name is Janet Honaker, But all those old names and describing the school I actually felt like I was right back in that building again. Thanks for the memories….
Boston Sun said:
Of course I remember you, Janet. You, Erin, Timmy, Suzi, and I used to ride our bikes just off to the right near your house at the end of our street. Remember when it used to FLOOD after a heavy rain and we’d all be walking around out there hip-deep in water and covered in mud? Yes, we missed you and felt a lot of sadness for you and your family when your Mom passed… we all hoped you were okay after you moved. Thank you so much for checking in! Glad you enjoyed the article. 🙂
Suzanne Lavigne Chambers said:
Great reading….I stumbled upon this as did many of the readers. My Mom was one of the Ellis Brett teachers, and I remember your class very well. I think it was her favorite group of kids. I live in Tampa Florida and miss Brockton like crazy. Never thought I would but I do. Every place has there rough times but your comments about the “flying saucers” brought me right back to buying the penny candy at Morraine Variety. I practiced on them for my first communion! Good Stuff!
Boston Sun said:
Wow, Suzanne… great to hear from you! I remember Mrs. Lavigne well! We loved her and Miss Lyons. I hope your Mom is doing well, and if so, please tell her Hello from me. Love your comment about the candy – I think we all used to pretend that same thing about the communion wafers. LOL
Thanks for writing!
Harrison Young said:
Hey, if your mom was Mrs. LaVigne the 4th grade teacher who took over the class at Ellis Brett in 1969 and stayed on until after I left there in 1971 to matriculate to WJH please tell her I said hi. I always thought she was pretty cool and a very good teacher! My name’s Harrison Young and my brother’s name appears briefly in Mimi’s article.
Suzy Jackson said:
Hello, I am trying to locate an old friend from Brockton, Tony Barchus, He was on the police dept. and was traffic commisoner in the late 70’s. I may be spelling the last name wrong. Does anyone out there remember him?
Thanks,
Suzanne
Al T. said:
Mimi, thanks for putting this together. I guess I’m the old timer here. I went to Ellis Brett from 63 to 69 then onto West Jr high. I saw a post from Greg about Pat Shinnick I grew up with him way back along with a few others from Montauk rd. I lived on Ash st near the playground. We spent most of our time as teenagers in Fields Park and the Mall. My first job was at Bradleys dept. store. I also remember Fosters candy store plus there was a store next to Ellis Brett run by a blind man but he always knew what we had. Anyone here remember a kid Billy Powers? We hung around but he died in a traffic accident.We as kids also went to Ellis Brett pond for swimming back when that was open. Cassarnis restaurant was great we got a meatball sub and fries for one dollar.
Be nice to hear back from some of you.
Thanks
Boston Sun said:
Great to hear from you, Al… I remember two brothers from Montauk Rd. older than I was, Ricky and Davey Matroni (sp?). I think Ricky went into the Marines (or wanted to) and I heard David accidentally drowned about 15 years ago. I don’t think I knew Billy Powers, but the accident seems vaguely familiar. Cassani’s had the BEST subs, didn’t they? I’m still in touch with Mike Cassani, who was at Ellis Brett with us. He became a firefighter and moved South. Jennifer Shinnick was Pat’s little sister. I’ve often wondered where she is and what she’s doing these days.
Keep in touch, Al. Thanks for posting.
Al T. said:
Yes, Rick Montroni was a good friend we used to go over to the armory and drive old jeeps around the lot. My brother in-law Gerry still is the manager of Central Music he’s been there for about 40 years now. We now live in NH but still talk about Brockton it was a good place to grow up.
Al Thetonia
Wayne said:
This is so great to find these posts in my inbox. Was friends with Mike Cassani growing up. Seem to remember Boy Scouts meetings at his house. And penny candy at Moraine Variety and playing baseball at the Ash St playground and kickball running down the hill at Ellis Brett. Good times.
Greg said:
Just a clarification on Jennifer Shinnick, she was not the sister of Patrick Shinnick, they were (are) cousins. Pat lived on Montauk road and Jennifer lived on Palmer Street. Jennifer’s brother is Richard Shinnick, who still lives on Palmer Street, I believe. All were my cousins as well, although I hardly knew Jennifer.Not sure but I believe she has lived in California for many years, as does Pat.
Cheryl Powers Irvine said:
Hello, thanks so much for mentioning my brother Billy Powers. Its his birthday today and I visited his grave with my cousin Franscesca Connolly in case you know her, she grew up on Ash Street. Anyway – he loved Brockton and had lots of friends. We grew up on Elmwood Ave, next to Montaulk Road. In our neighborhood was the Houle’s, Newells, Gillis, Shinnicks, Montroni’s, Bumpus, Fulton. I still keep in touch with Ricky Montroni by mail and I do see the neighborhood kids from time to time. Who are you? I am curious. Everyone walked by my house to go up the park with a ciggarette in hand, tight jeans and long hair feathered hair.
Al T said:
Hi Sherry, I remember you I hung around with Billy in grammer school and Jr high school. You and your sister were just little kids.
I lived on ash st near playground.
Al T. said:
Hi, I posted a comment earlier but it seems to be gone. I went to Ellis Brett from 63 to 69 I knew the Shinnicks and others in the Montauk rd area. I lived on Ash st near the park. Anyone else here from that period? would like to hear back from you.
Thanks
Al T.
Boston Sun said:
Fondly remember Ash Street Playground… especially the summer program with gimp, and gum wrapper belts, and tennis lessons! Ah, the good old days.
Al T. said:
Hi, so did you know the Buckleys that lived on the corner of park rd and ash st? I grew up with them they were Ken, Charlie and Bruce maybe? I also knew the Noels they were a big family. When you went to EB did they still have the Halloween parade?
Al
Cheryl Powers Irvine said:
I used to go to the armory base and drive old jeeps too. All the neighborhood kids did. All we had to do is push our foot down on top of a silver round metal button. Crazy we never got caught. What was on their mind when they came out in the morning and seen such sloppy parking…I wonder
Sherry Powers
Suzanne Jackson said:
Hello…
Does anyone remember Tony Barchus? I think he was Traffic Commisonner in the late 70’s early 80’s. He was a long time resident of Brockton and I think he was also on the police force at one time. I think he passed away years ago but just wanted to reach out to someone who might have known him or his son?
Thanks for any info you might have. Suzanne
Randy Tarsos said:
He moved to the Ukraine and taught ballet for awhile
Suzanne Jackson said:
Well, that’s not very nice, Randy
pegcorey said:
Thanks for the memories 😊 I graduated in 1982 as well and remember many of the people you mention. I have also had people ask.. Oh do you know so and so?? And thought – how could I in a class of 1100. My children grew up in Middleboro where everyone knows everyone and everything they ever did 😜 . I also had Mr Bethany and loved his class. I tell my children all the time what a great school BHS was. Thank you for the memories.
Margaret Borges – now Peg Corey
Boston Sun said:
You’re welcome, Peg. Thanks for reading, and for taking the time to write in. You’re right… BHS really was, and still is, a great school. You get out of it what you put into it, right?
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. 🙂
Lycia Carter said:
I came across this while trying to find images of Brockton from the 1960’s and 1970’s to show my kids. What a great article! Although I didn’t go to Ellis Brett so much of what you wrote is familiar to me. I went to BB Russell, North Junior High and BHS, class of 1980. I know many of the older siblings of the people that you mention in your article. Mostly, though, your article brought back so many memories! I lived right on the line for going to West Jr High or North Jr High and many of my friends from BB Russell ended up going to West. I lived off of Cross St and MaryEllen Barry and I used to ride our bikes to Ash St playground in the summer. We would also ride our bikes or walk to Moraine Variety. Did you sled at the pit? That big hill behind the old age home that was built on Belair Street? Do you remember how great the sledding was before that place was built? I think there might have even been a little pond there that we skated on but I’m not sure if I’m confusing that with someplace else. I do remember having to avoid rocks when sledding. Good thing those old flexible flyers could steer – somewhat. Sad to remember the David Louison going missing. His older sister, Audrey, and my older sister, Jane, were and still are friends. Another older sister (I have 4 of them and 2 brothers) used to babysit for David. My sister Jane was one of the voices that you heard night after night calling his name searching for him. That was tragic and like you said, it changed things for all of us. My mother, who was also from Brockton, taught us many safety rules (if someone stops and asks you for directions, don’t go right up to the car – just tell them from the sidewalk) but I do remember feeling afraid walking home from my friend Leslie Rodensbush or Diane Tsionis’ houses who lived down closer to BB Russell (you might know Lizabeth Rodenbush – she might have been your age). Anyway, it was great to read your article and reminisce with you. So many memories, so many good times! I was in Brockton in April for the wake of my friend’s mother, Elsie Riordan. It had been a long time. Two of my 4 kids were with me and I drove them around the old places – past BB Russell, and North Junior High; past my old house on Fitzpatrick Ave; and hard to believe there are houses in what was always “the field” to us (we used to cut through there everyday on the way to and from BB Russell). We also went through Fields Park and through No. Main Street over to Avon. My kids pronounced Brockton “sketchy” but to me – it was home. I loved growing up in Brockton and so did everyone I know that is from the place. I still have a lot of connections to the place – my sister Jane married a guy from Brockton (Jennifer Doyle’s oldest brother – did you know Jen? Class of 80?) My brother lives in No. Easton and often plays at Frieda’s just on the Brockton-W. Bridgewater line off Copeland Street (I think). I think it used to be Muldoons. I remember going there with a fake ID when I was in High School. Some of the names that you mention in your article are so familiar – Leslie Kram? I think I went to YWCA summer camp with her one year. My one and only foray into summer camp (thought I would love it; begged my mother to let me go; hated it). Anyway, so great to have found this – lots of memories. I remember those UFO candies too! and you are right – they tasted just like communion wafers. oh and Fred Hebshie? I think that they lived in the duplexes on Fitzpatrick Ave that my parents owned – not sure but sounds vaguely familiar. Thanks again! Great times.
Doug Mazze said:
Hi Lycia,
Just stumbled upon this post myself doing a little reminiscing about Brockton and BB Russell. This is Doug Mazze. I went to BB the same time you did and we were in class together. I had Miss Maxwell in 2nd, Miss Mulligan in 3rd, Miss Ogle in 4th, Mr Rogers in 5th and Mr Levine in 6th. Mary Ellen was my girlfriend in 6th grade. I certainly remember you, Elsie Riordan, Leslie Rodenbush, Rich Sarson, Mike Brady, Bea Mallard, Frances Merra and so many others. Fond memories of kickball and lots of field trips with Mr Levine’s class. I remember sledding off Belair St as well as at DW Field golf course. I went on to North JHS also, and then to Southeastern before moving to NH in 78. It was so great to see your post. Hope all is well.
Regards,
Doug
Lycia Carter said:
Doug Mazze! Of course I remember you! All the girls at BB Russell had a crush on you! Including me. 🙂 I remember trying to figure out your intentions when you wrote Love, Doug as the signature on a valentine you gave me. lol Fond memories for sure. I’m still in touch with MaryEllen. Many of the people you mentioned are friends together on Facebook. If you are on FB look for us. Sadly Frances Merra passed away from cancer several years ago. But the rest of us are alive and kicking. Happy New Year!
Doug Mazze said:
Lycia,
It was great to hear back from you. It’s funny as we get older we tend to remember things from 40-45 years ago more than we do last week. It would be great to get in touch with everybody, but I never really adopted Facebook due to my job. Maybe its time! Please give my best to MaryEllen and anyone else you are in touch with. If you would like to catch up outside this blog feel free to email me at dmazze@yahoo.com. Maybe i will fill you in on the valentine. LOL. Happy New Year. Doug
Suzanne Jackson said:
Hello out there … I’m looking for someone who lived in Brockton in
the 70’s and who might have known
Tony Barchus and his family! Tony
was a Lt. on the police force around that time. I believe he was also the
Traffic Commissioner. I believe he passed away in the 80’s sometime.
He was an old family friend that we lost
track of when we moved! I’d love to hear from anyone who knew him or
if anyone knows how I could get in
touch with any family members!
Michelle kaplan said:
Does anyone remember the name of the furniture store on Main Street in Brockton in the 70’s or 80’s. My cousin is racking her brains out. Thanks for the help.
Bill said:
Almy’s?
AL T. said:
Athertons
Denise spatola said:
Thank you, thank you Mimi for taking me back to memory lane❤️What beautiful memories that will forever hold a very special place in my heart.
mary said:
i grew up in brockton in the 70’s. i remember a kid named jimmy jones, he lived up the street from us. he was a really good looking kid with everything going for him and supposedly committed suicide. that still bothers me today. anyone remember him?
karen said:
just came across this post. yes i do remember jimmy jones, he lived on howard ave. they said he committed suicide. many people do not believe he did that. there are still stories people tell today that there were people involved. if so, maybe the guilt will get to them someday. Jimmys family deserves the truth.
greg said:
been 43 years july 20, 1975, he was 16 years old. RIP.
Barbara Weller said:
Wow! My cousin and Brockton native, Tom Crowley, sent me this blog recently! I am “Miss Barbara Lyons” from the Ellis Brett School! I was at the EB for two years ( ’71-73), my first job after graduating from Bridgewater in 1971. I remember more names from those years than all my other 33 years of teaching combined! Marianne, Linda Baroncelli, Erin Clancy, Kimberly O”Connor and Linda Conley even came to my wedding in 1973! I also remember Jon Weiner, Chucky DiStephano, Joey Sargent, and so many more! Education has changed drastically since the 70’s, that’s for sure, but the Ellis Brett was a great school. I went on to teach in Lunenburg, North Andover and Naples, FL as a literacy specialist. Teaching was definitely my passion, and I loved every minute of it!
I am now happily retired, enjoying our two children and two grandchildren who also live in Naples.
Marianne, thank you so much for the memories!
Barbara Lyons Weller
Wayne Cram said:
Hey! I remember Miss Lyons! Did you have us do that math drill where we had to run to the board and do multiplication problems quicker than the other team? Such a memory!
Boston Sun said:
Oh, wow…. Miss Lyons! It is so very good to hear from you! You have no idea how often over the years I tried to find you, so I could write to you. You had such an impact on my life and I always wanted to thank you for that. I was always so happy to go to school those early years because you made our days so interesting! You were so young and pretty and full of fresh ideas. You, Nancy Blonde and Alan Jolly brought so much youthful enthusiasm to our little wooden school.
It’s great to hear of your successful career in teaching, and your happiness with your children and grandchildren. Congratulations on your retirement as well.
I still have a picture from your wedding – it was absolutely adorable that you invited us. I’ll have to see if I can find it and post it here.
You may be suprised to know that Erin and I are still best friends, and it might make you wince to hear that we are 51 years old now! haha Although a few months ago I moved to Texas for my work, so we don’t get to see each other as often as we’d like now, but we still talk on the phone as much as our schedules allow. I hope to see her this weekend when I’m back up in Boston for my son’s wedding.
Thank you so much for replying, and thank your cousin Tom for sending you the link to my blog. I’d be happy to keep in touch with you.
All the best,
Mimi DiGiammo
Dean Sloan - graduating class of '78 said:
I got goosebumps seeing the Goddard School mentioned. I was there for a couple of years and my parents moved to Randolph to get me out of the program. It was certainly different. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Doug Mazze said:
Hi Mimi,
Thanks for such a great blog. I was doing a web search on Brockton in the 70s and came across this. I did not go to Ellis Brett; however I went to BB Russell from 69-74. I was the class of 80. Went to North JHS and on to Southeastern before moving to NH in 78. I grew up on Trudy Terrace and Colonel Bell Drive not far from Eliis Brett school. One of my great memories was biking to Fosters for penny candy and to Ash St playground and DW Field park was right behind where we lived. I do know a couple of the names you mentioned. Steven Cardinal, his brother, his Dad (George), Mom (Kay) and later step mom (Annette) were good friends of family going back to preschool days when we lived in Boston. Chris Grosso’s mother was my Den Mother for cub scouts, we used to meet at his house on Belair St. Looking through your blog I came across a classmate from BB Russell named Lycia Carter. This has been fun. Thanks again very much for the memories.
Regards,
Doug Mazze
Rhonda N said:
Thank you Doug and EVERYONE for bringing back such memories. Being a Navy child we moved a lot. But I remember attending BB Russell (1970) when I was still 4 years old, not even five yet when I went to Kindergarten. I believe they didn’t have pre-school back then. I do have specific things I remember from then and will never forget. I remember having to take naps and for snack they gave us two (2) oreo cookies every day (yes they had those back then…LOL) and a small carton of milk that we never could open so we’d all sit on the floor with all of our hands raised waiting for the teacher to come around and open our milk. I do remember a teacher (2nd Grade) Mrs. Hanger (young and newly married) but I’m not sure if it was that school or not. I just remember her name because it was “hanger”… LOL
More importantly, I remember the fear I had at such a young age. My sister was only one grade ahead of me and we had to walk to school and some days we were lucky to catch up with friends walking. You know how kids are….. I remember there was a spooky house right on Elm Street (I think that was it) and every day these older kids would tell us it was haunted and this mean old lady, who was also a witch of course, would “kill” children if we so much as walked in front of her house. LOL, I remember my heart pounding every time we had to head that way and we would literally cross the street to the other sidewalk to avoid her house and then come back across the street when we safely passed her house. I remember it like it was yesterday. Ahhhh Kids, gotta love em’
We moved when I was young and I can’t remember the area much, but I do remember at the end of the street (Elm I think) there was a 7-Eleven right on the main road. We were sent out of the house anytime it was light outside, not to return until dark. Just hearing about what happened to that young boy in 74, gives me the creeps considering my mother wasn’t too worried about our safety.
I hoped to get back there some day. I’m 51 so I’m over due for a visit. Doug you were attending the school when I was, except slightly older. It was so nice Reminiscing with everyone. It really is wonderful when everyone speaks the language you do and shares a moment in time with you.
Warmly,
Rhonda N
David said:
Wow you brought back so many memories. I attended ellis brett from 1971 to 1975 i lived right across prospecr st and my dog used to visit at recess. I only rememer Mr. Stevenson and mrs Seirson (spelling). I clearly remember the cries and yelling for poor David Louison. My sister also wored at morain variety.
Jack Trifiro said:
Wow! Hey Mimi! Stumbled across this page somehow… I’m Patti’s brother, Jack… Greenfield st neighbor! Grade 1-3 at Ellisprett (lol), then on to St PAts > Arnone. Fun reading the old familiar names! Hope you are well!
Boston Sun said:
Hey Jack! Thank you for the kind words. I went to St. Pats for CCD. Love how you enjoyed the “Ellisprett” blend… isn’t is so true! Take care and stay in touch! Hope all is well with you, too!
Suzanne Martin Jackson said:
Does anyone know of Tony Barchus
or his family? He was a police officer
and traffic commissioner in Brockton
during the 1970’s! I believe he has passed on but was wondering about
his children!
PLEASE email me if you have any info
Thanks! slj6@comcast.net
Larry Lamp said:
I attended West and was in home room with Jeff Gouveia, Jay Magee and George Millet. I don’t like to speak ill of the dead and I also do not like revisionist history. Jay and George were great guys and great athletes. Jeff was a bully in junior high and much worse in high school. He was a scumbag that preyed on girls that had too much to drink in high school and was an out of control coke head after high school.
Tracy Bruce said:
Really enjoyed this!
Boston Sun said:
Thank you Tracy!
VALERIE GOMES said:
I love this story i am mark gomezy Gomes little sister
Who are you
This is the best story
Boston Sun said:
VAL!!!!! lol It’s me, Mimi. (Jay’s best friend… and you, Timmy, Mark and Kim’s “cousin from another mother”.) LOL Love you, girl!!! How you doin these days?? I’m so glad you like this. ❤
jeffkiev said:
Thank you for bringing back so many great memories of Ellis Brett in the 1970’s. My twin brother John and I are still in touch with friends from those days. I was one year ahead of you but recognize many names in your well written posting.
Who could forget the sex segregated playgrounds at Ellis Brett and those loud fire drills.
Proud to have grown up in Brockton and appreciate its great diversity and civic pride.
Paul Lefkowitz said:
Good Morning and Merry Christmas,
Feeling nostalgic this morning I googled Ellis Brett and came across your blog and replies.
I went to Ellis Brett in the late 50’s and early 60’s but many of your Ellis Brett and Brockton recollections, eg., Mrs. Foster’s and Dunnington’s, etc., are mine as well.
Miss McCarthy was our principal and I recall well Mr. Dunn, Miss Higgins, Mrs. LaMond, Miss Nylen and Mrs.Almquist.
How about Woolworth’s and Kresgee’s downtown, before Westgate put them out of business, the three movie theaters downtown, The Colonial and Center were two, Edgar’s, etc.
I’d love to hear from anyone from my vintage in Brockton
KLBoudreau said:
Excellent story. Class of 82, went to B.B. Russel School, WJH, and lived on Fitzpatrick Circle until 5th Grade then my family moved to the West Side. I still hang around with many of my friends from the old neighborhood. Brockton still sits in all of our hearts pretty deeply.
Pauline Canelias said:
What a poetic and meaningful trip down memory lane. I was a few years ahead for the journey, but the era was unmistakably the same. Glad to read someone else having the respect for our upbringing. Best of luck to you, and thank you so much for the most needed revisiting of a blessed childhood.
Peter O'Connor said:
Hi, MY name is Peter O’Connor,
Not sure how long ago you posted your article, but it aroused some of my memories of Brockton, though I’m bit older. As I type this out, I had recently turned 67 years old as of August 26, 2023.
My mom is German and was a war bride of WW2. Came to America in 1956 on a ship called The M.S. Berlin. She came through Ellis Island in New York as most immigrants did.
At the time, mom spoke no English and as a result, I learned only German until I started kindergarten, which was on Lewiston street on the far east side. The teacher there told my mom that she would have to teach me some English, as I could not be taught anything because I didn’t understand English.
Mom went to night school at the THEN Brockton High School on corner of W. Elm street and Warren Ave. Which of course moved to the new High school that you attended in your senior year.
I went through half a year of grade 6 in elementary school at George Paine school on Crescent Street (East side) because my family and I lived 305 Grove street, right on the west corner of Snow street. All the buildings on Snow street were torn down including the building I was in and the house right next door, which was the landlord and his wife’s house, the Radurazzos <(I remember their names but could never spell the last name correctly) Ralph & Josie. Josie became my brother's Godmother after she babysat me at 4 years old while mom went to the hospital for my brother to be born. Mom said to me before going to the hospital "BE GOOD!" LOL, Josie very rarely let me go outside to play and was stuck watching TV with Josie. I was always GOOD because I slept a lot in the living room chair as Josie watched all her SOAP OPERAS.. "ALL My Children, Edge Of Night, Peyton Place, As the Stomach Turns.. I mean As the World Turns, General Hospital etc.. (HO HUM) LOL
I was 7 years old, watching cartoons on TV on November 22, 1963. Mom was making lunch when an interruption came to my cartoons. "WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM FOR A SPECIAL BULLETIN" Walter Cronkite comes on to announce that President John F. Kennedy had been shot. (Not killed). Mom was in the kitchen still making lunch and heard the announcement, came RUNNING into the living room as Walter Cronkite spoke of the shooting and started crying. I was too young to understand, but I knew it wasn't good.
JFK and his brother Bobby were the ONLY Democrats in the history of that party that tried to do good for our country to THIS day.
Mom got remarried a few years later after booting my dad out. Soon enough, we moved into our own house in Stoughton.
I was still in 6th grade when we moved and had to attend 6th grade in one of three classes I'm the Jr high school because the elementary 6th grade classes were full up. NOTE: All through school, from grades 1-12, I was a continuous victim of bullying, both mentally and physically. (The old saying goes.. Kids can be cruel). We lived in Stoughton for two years, during which time, mom & dad did much home improvements that raised the value of the house & property. They then sold the house and bought a house in Avon, where we lived for four years, they did more home & property improvements and raised the value there as well. Meanwhile, I made friends around town and attended Avon High, where more bullying went on. I was never a fighter to defend myself, I always ran… UNTIL one day in the cafeteria, I was sitting at one of those loooong tables with two friends sitting on the opposite side. Bobby Veraka came and sat next to me, while there was "PLENTY CHAIRS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TABLE" Bobby was chewing a wad of gum and of course before he could eat, took the gum out. Instead of placing it on his tray, he slapped it on backside of my head in my hair. My friends were shocked as I got up and went to the office. The secretary knew it was from a bully. She cut the gum out and placed it gently in my right hand and winked at me. I knew what that meant.
I went back to my chair, my friends and Bobby were still there. I slapped the gum back in Bobby's hair. Bobby got up since I was still standing. He swung at me. I don't know where I got the bravery from, nor the movement, but I blocked Bobby's swing with my left arm and swung back with my right with much speed. I nailed Bobby to his left jaw really hard. He literally FLEW OVER THE TABLE. My friends had to duck to the side.
There was quite the commotion as teachers from their lunch room heard and came running.
Bobby tried to make ME look like the trouble maker, but my friends stuck up for me and told the teachers what really happened. Bobby got suspended. The bullying didn't stop, but it slowed WAYYYYYY DOWN.
One of my friends that I hung out with then, Paul Antonellis, went to Cardinal Spellman High school in Brockton, while I was at Avon.
As time went on, my family moved back to Brockton on the west side, off Pearl street. Where the house we bought looked rather plain and drab. BUT, mom and dad did more work to the house and property and WOW, the house ultimately looked NOTHING like it did when we first moved in. Since mom is German, they gave the house a German taste and is BEAUTIFUL. We moved there in 1974 and they sold the house in 1994 and moved back to Germany. Since 1975, I married twice. My 2nd wife was from California and due to her family, wound up moving to the San Jose area. I did an internship at an AOR radio station in San Jose called KSJO. This was 1983 to 1984, when my wife and I and two of her four kids moved back to Brockton where we lived in the Lithuanian village for two years.
1984, having gotten a job driving a lumber truck for Brook Contractor supply by the Avon/Holbrook line, I had a delivery of lumber to an address where I knew the people in Avon.
(Remember I mentioned a friend named PAUL ANTONELLIS?)
Well, I got there, I hadn't seen then in some years. I knock on the front door. MR. ANTONELLIS comes to the door and didn't recognize me at first. He said where to dump the lumber and when his son gets home, will take care of it. I mentioned to him that he has a son named Paul. He said YES, how do you know? We spoke for a minute about us hanging together and then he recognized me.
He said I KNOW YOUR BUSY, BUT WHEN YOU GET DONE DUMPING THE LUMBER, COME IN THE HOUSE A MINUTE, I HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW YOU.
So I got back to the house where he brought me to the living room and a tall bookshelf.
He takes a record album off a shelf and hands it to me. He said this album was JUST RELEASED. LOOK AT IT.
The album was by a group called ANIMOTION.
I flipped it to the backside to see six individual pictures of the band members with their names and instruments. Suddenly I was SHOCKED… "PAUL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THERE!" LOL
You may remember a HUGE HIT from that album called "OBSESSION" and Paul was the original keyboard player.
Mr. Antonella laughed and then said HE LEFT THE BAND TO GO BACK TO WORK AS MUSIC COORDINATOR FOR THE SOAP OPERA GENERAL HOSPITAL..His dad mentioned that Paul dropped the "S" from the last name "I could kill him!" Then laughed. He gave me Paul's contact info and we'd kept in contact since. Nowadays, Paul is very successful in working with several soap operas and worked on a few "B" movies. You can Google his name PAUL F. ANTONELLI.
From 1987-1993, I did concert security for the BIGGEST, MOST LEGENDARY concert Promoter in the world… Bill Graham.
If your not familiar with Bill Graham (NOT BILLY Graham the preacher),
Bill Graham was the owner of two legendary concert halls… The Fillmore East and West.
Many bands/artists primarily of the 60s attributed their success to Bill..
JIM HENDRIX
JANIS JOPLIN
GRATEFUL DEAD
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE
SANTANA
And a number of others.
He also had his hand in putting on some famous concerts..
LIVE AID (Philadelphia)
Moscow Peace Festival
The US Festivals
Though Bill Graham didn't organize Woodstock, he did book several of the bands including JIMI, JANIS, SANTANA, GRATEFUL DEAD, and Jefferson Airplane and some others.
Do you know that out of all the bands that played Woodstock, Santana was the ONLY one that was NOT signed… YET. Thanks again to Bill Graham for booking that band as they were Brand new at the time.
Well, nowadays, I'm retired living in Nashville, trying to push the lyrics I write. No success… YET.
Well, I enjoyed reminiscing through your story.
I hope you enjoy mine.
Boston Sun said:
Thank you for that great comment (and for adding your interesting story!). That’s what this blog post is all about… reconnecting people who grew up in the sixties and seventies in the Brockton area with their memories of it. It sure was a great time and place to be a kid!
Boston Sun said:
Thank you for that great comment (and for adding your interesting story!). That’s what this blog post is all about… reconnecting people who grew up in the sixties and seventies in the Brockton area with their memories of it. It sure was a great time and place to be a kid!