The Mission Hill Post 327 held a meeting last week at Victory Point Restaurant in Quincy. Plans were finalized for our Memorial Day ceremony at Brigham Circle and also a drive for new members was discussed.
We have only one African American member, our beloved and famous Enoch “Woody” Woodhouse and we welcome all people who have served our country at the Mission Hill Post. For membership information our Mission Hill Post Commander, Col. George Rollins can be reached at 703 – 209 -2124. I attended the Mission Grammar School – Road to College Gala last week at the Priest Garden and it was a wonderful evening, starting with a heartfelt greeting by the students.
Laura Adams received the prestigious Kevin Fitzgerald Alumnus of the Year Award for her dedication in working with our Mission Hill Senior citizens. Laura gave a fine speech, talking about the love emanating from Mission Grammar School and her long family lineage who attended Mission Grammar.
John Jackson accepted the Mary Leydon Commitment to Education Award. John is a mentor and basketball coach and Director of the Tobin Community Center. The Mission Hill Post 327, most of whom are Mission Grammar alumni, received the Community Partnership Award and congratulations to Gregg Henning on his Legacy of Leadership Award. Aliece Dutson, President of Mission Grammar and Principal Caroline Silney did a fine job, showcasing the 143 year old school, and making the evening a success..Happy 86th birthday (May 28) to Robert “Robo” Payne, a former Mission Hill businessman and a great guy.
Robo owned and operated Mechanical Cooling Co., which was located at the bottom of Pontiac Street and employed dozens of Mission Hill residents throughout the 70’s and 80’s. Robo occasionally stops in Mike’s Donuts to say hi to the boys and he is still sharp. Robo’s company sponsored the Owls Nest, the famous Mission Hill softball team back in the old days in the fun Mission Hill Softball League… Congrats to Mike Killion and Sheila Killion, a loving couple from Mission Hill upon their 50 years of marriage (May 18, 1973). Sheila has the distinction of performing in one of the last Pilate’s Daughter plays at St. Alphonsus Hall in the early 60’s. Pilate’s Daughter, the renowned religious play, was first performed in 1901 and drew large audiences from throughout New England.. M.H. Little League bumper stickers have been spotted on cars around the neighborhood. Little League President Dan Weldon may still have some of the cool stickers and they’re only a few bucks.. R.I.P. Michael “Sonny” Ward who passed away last month at age 82. Sonny, from the Mission Hill project, served in the U.S. Marines for four years. Sonny, a retired custodian at Ma. College of Art, was a devout supporter of Mission Church..I had a delicious lunch at Penguin Pizza last month and it was nice chatting with the restaurant’s newest owner, Pamela Carthy..
Good luck to John Fitzgerald who announced his candidacy for Boston City Councilor from District 3 in Dorchester. John, who is married with 3 children, is smart and personable and he would be a welcome addition to the Council. John comes from a wonderful Mission Hill family and he is the oldest son of the late Kevin Fitzgerald and Tricia Fitzgerald..
Brendan Behan Pub in Jamaica Plain will celebrate its 35th anniversary Sunday, June 18. The festivities begin at 3 o’clock and there will be food, fun and raffles. Brendan Behan, which was previously named TommyJohns, is a dazzling pub and I and my gang go there on Saturday evenings when a handful of talented musicians delight the crowd playing Irish music.. It was nice having lunch with Mission Hill “Marathon Man”, Big Jim Moynihan and his entourage last week at the Corrib Restaurant in West Roxbury. Big Jim slimmed down a bit and he’s looking good..Maurice can be reached at [email protected].