Hill Happenings

Mission Hill lost a fine gentleman when Joe (Buddy) Gillis passed away last month at age 85. Buddy, born in Roxbury, was a kind man who volunteered his time at the St. Francis House Homeless Shelter.  In the golden era of the Mission Hill softball league, Buddy loved to watch his nephews, Eddie Gillis and young Joe Gillis, play ball at McLaughlin Park and finish the evening at the Mission Hill Post over a few beers.  Buddy was a great guy.

It has been a few decades since I played in the Mission Hill softball league, but two of my former Winnie’s Pub teammates, Eugene “Grand Papa Gino” McCarthy and Dick Pettengill, are still playing and competing in the Eastern Mass Senior Softball League in Wayland.  Gino affectionately calls it the assisted living division.  At the team’s banquet last month, Gino received the Heart, Hustle, and Attitude award. Dick Pettengill is married to Winnie, a lovely woman and the former owner of Winnie’s Pub (now Flann O’Brien’s).

Condolences to the family of Mary Carroll, a Mission Hill resident who passed away last month at age 95. Mary worked at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital for many years and Boston Symphony Hall.  A beautiful person who was well liked in the old neighborhood. She will be missed.

A beautiful baby girl, Teagan Casey Condon, entered the world a few days before the new year.  Teagan is the daughter of proud parent’s Mike and Nicole Condon. Mike bartends at the Mission Bar and Grill. Teagan’s grandmother, Marian “Tootsie” McCarthy, was my classmate at Mission High School and neighbor from Tobin Court.  Congratulations!

Good luck to Mark James who retired as supervisor of environmental services at the New England Baptist Hospital. I’ve worked with Mark for the last six months and will still hear him saying “safety first” as I go about my evening duties. Mark’s good temperament made for a great supervisor. Although we are not as talented as the Baptist doctors, recently featured in Boston Magazine, Mark let us know that we were an important part of the workplace.  All the best!

A tip of the hat to Pat Bottary—one of the recipient’s of the Cheverus Award, presented for loving service to the Church, from the Cathedral Of the Holy Cross. Pat, a Mission High graduate and former resident, owns Pat Bottary Real Estate in Brookline Village.

It was nice seeing my old friend John “Fish” Rothfuchs at Mike’s Donuts the other day.  Mike and fellow Verizon crewmates are working on the hill.  John recently spent his vacation working and assisting with orphans in Haiti.  Keep up the good work.

Occasionally I sip a Coor’s Light at the Puddingstone Tavern and enjoy a fine conversation with bartender Scott Prince.  Scott coaches at Milton Academy and played basketball for Northeastern University and is well versed on the subject of sports.

Speaking of the Puddingstone, I’m told Irish music will be returning on a monthly basis.

Looking forward to a good new year.

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