By Maurice ‘Mossy’ Martin
On Sept. 27, 1970, 20-year-old Bobby Joe Leaster was casually chatting with his cousin on St. Botolph Street when two Boston Police officers approached him regarding a murder-robbery which occurred two hours previously at Talbot Ave. Variety Store in Dorchester.
A black man with no police record, Bobby Joe fit the description of one of the two assailants, green pants and his 16-year nightmare of incarceration began with his arrest, an inept investigation, and later conviction.
After the wrongful judgment was overturned in 1986 and he received a $1 Million settlement from the City of Boston, I got to know Bobby Joe when he lived next door to me in Mission Hill on Worthington Street.
I wrote a story about this brave, resilient man in this paper in January 2005. Bobby Joe told me his belief in God helped him survive his horrid plight. He was blatantly victimized by a rush to judgement. After he was released from prison, he worked for years in the toughest streets in Boston, mentoring young people.
Bobby Joe comes to mind because of a terrific book recently written by Christopher Muse, “Justice Under God.” Christopher is the younger of the father-and-son legal team who never doubted their client’s innocence after replacing his court-appointed attorney. God bless Bobby Joe, who died in 2020, leaving a legacy of courage and strength.
Members of the Mission Hill Post 327 and dozens in the crowd paid homage to our fallen veterans in a ceremony at Brigham Circle on Memorial Day. Our Post Commander Col. George Rollins presided over the touching observance, and Jimmy O’Neill and Peter Scott placed a wreath on the Monument. Peter and Jimmy, along with Tom Marroni and John Kelly, read the names of the Mission Hill veterans who died in the line of duty.
M.H. Post member Garret Savluk began the ceremony by playing the National Anthem on his bugle, and he beautifully played ‘Taps’ and ‘Amazing Grace.’
Boston City Councilor Sharon Durkan gave a terrific discourse citing her family’s proud military history. Afterwards Sharon joined us across the street at The Mission for some great food.
Thanks to Maria of Mike’s Donuts for providing coffee and her famous donuts for the Brigham Circle crowd.
Several members of our Mission Hill Post attended the Mission Grammar School Road to College fundraiser at Emmanuel College May 15. I had a great time at this event, reminiscing with old friends.
M.H. Post member Brigadier General Enoch ‘Woody’ Woodhouse, a World War II veteran, received the Community Hero Award. Christine Dwyer drew a thunderous ovation receiving the Kevin Fitzgerald Alumnus of the Year Award.
Other honorees included Maura Bradley-Gnanou, the recipient of the Mary Leydon Commitment to Education Award, and the Collins family, who received The Legacy of Leadership Award.
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Ellen (Killion) Prendergast, the youngest of a wonderful Mission Hill family of nine. Ellen, a Mission High and UMass graduate, was so nice one felt joy in her presence, including where she worked at Mark Harmon Law Firm in Newton.
The last time I saw Ellen was at an event at The Elks in West Roxbury, and Ellen brought her homemade Irish bread that was so good I stuck an extra slice in my pocket. Ellen was the best. Donations in Ellen’s memory may be made to Friends of Dana Farber.
Condolences to the family of Susan St. Cyr, who passed away last month. Susan loved Mission Hill, and as a member on several boards, she had a strong voice in the community. She always fought for what was right including battling for the reclaimed land on the back of the Hill. Susan was among the early planners of One Brigham Circle back in the days when Mission Hill was bereft of a supermarket and the Ledge site was undeveloped. Susan, who leaves her husband John LaRuffa and three children, will be dearly missed.
A belated happy birthday (May 28) goes to Lidia Palacio, a diligent worker for Boston Water and Sewer. When she is working in the neighborhood, Lidia stops in Mike’s and lights up the donut shop with her good looks and sparkling personality. .
Congratulations to good guy Paul McLaughlin on his Boston Police promotion to Superintendent to Chief of Bureau of Investigations and Detectives. Paul, always splendidly dressed and wearing a smile, greets the boys at Mike’s Donuts, where he often comes for his morning coffee.
Did you hear about the cop who pulled over the motorist for eating doughnuts? He said his eyes were glazed.
Maurice can be reached at [email protected].