By Maurice ‘Mossy’ Martin
Under brilliant sunshine, dozens of golfers and spectators participated in the Mission Hill Veterans Post 327 Golf Fundraiser at Norwood Country Club last week.
Thanks to our many sponsors, including The Capital Grill in Newton; and Victory Point Restaurant in Quincy, and to our local tavern owners, Michel Soltani, proprietor of Brendan Behan’s in J.P., and Harry Walsh, the owner of The Mission Bar & Grill.
Special thanks to Stephen Quigley, owner of the Independent Newspaper Group, which includes this great Mission Hill paper, for his contribution.
Skillful golfers Jim O’Neill, Jack O’Neill, Kevin O’Neill, and Kevin’s son in law, Mike Memmelo, were the winners on the golf course.
My good friend Teddy Stanton, who is our newest M.H. Post member, displayed his talent with some excellent putting.
After the golf we had a fine meal of pasta, salad, and beer, followed by an inspiring speech by General Brigadier Enoch ‘Woody’ Woodhouse. Woody spoke of spirituality, our great veterans, and love of country.
Our Mission Hill City Councilor Sharon Durkan also said a few passionate words about our veterans. Sharon is a generous supporter of the Mission Hill Post.
Our M.H. Post Commander Col. George Rollins did a terrific job of organizing this worthy event. We’ll see you Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at 1:30 p.m. at Brigham Circle for our ceremony to honor our veterans.
Mission Hill Pirates All-Star baseball players Dylon Lynch and Jodrian Tejeda proudly represented Mission Hill last week in the RBI (i.e. ‘Renewing Baseball in Inner Cities’) All-Star game at Fenway Park.
The youngsters were thrilled to be playing in the ancient delicious ballpark on the lavish green grass where Babe Ruth and Ted Williams laced on their spikes
The local All-Star team won 5-4, with Dylon Lynch going two for two, and he drove in the winning run. Lynch, a 15-year-old Boston Latin student, also pitched two thirds of an inning and was named Most Valuable Player!
Richie Curran, age 17, also played in the RBI League, and he was the M.V.P. for the Boston Athletic Academy Hammerheads. Curran had the honor of throwing out the first pitch of the Sept. 2 Red Sox-Cleveland game at Fenway Park.
Condolences to the family of Charlie ‘Chuckie’ Curran, who passed away last week.
Chuckie, from the terrific Curran lineage on Pontiac Street, was a dedicated family man who worked hard as a pipefitter for Boston Gas to support his five children. He often worked overtime but always had time for his children.
His daughter Gracie beautifully remembered her father, writing about his strong rugged rough hands from his workdays: “When I held his hands last week they were soft, smooth, and clean. His hard work was done.”
RIP, Chuckie.
A celebratory Mass for the Curran family will take place Saturday, Nov. 1, at 12:10 p.m.
What a nice happy birthday celebration for Peg Gill, who after leaving church, received a standing ovation upon entering Mike’s Donuts.
Tommy Hart, a great guy and a terrific athlete, passed away last month.
Tommy graduated from Northeastern University, where he was a rugged middle linebacker. In the ‘80s, Tommy worked at the Cask ‘n Flagon – a popular watering hole next to Fenway Park where thirsty Mission Hill residents flocked.
Tommy loved Mission Hill, and he soon became one of us. Tommy enjoyed sharing his football knowledge. He was an assistant coach for our great Killilea Club team.
Our parish will dearly miss Father John Furey, who is leaving the last week in October to go to the Church’s Florida Nursing Home. A Mission High School graduate, Father Furey will be joining his Boston buddies – Fr. Lennon, Fr. Hennessy, Fr. Spillane, and Fr. Travers.
This Saturday, Oct. 4, ‘The Friends of the Poor Walk’ will start at 9 a.m. at Mission Church. A $25 donation is requested for this worthy event, and after the walk, stop in Brendan Behan’s for complimentary food and soft drinks.
Happy 67th birthday (Oct. 6) to Bob Ryan a hard-working painter at Mass College of Art.
Paul Fitzgerald, a longtime, dedicated worker at the N.E. Baptist Hospital, will celebrate his birthday Oct. 20. Paul’s father ‘Big Dan’ Fitzgerald, a Mission Hill legend, was a World War II veteran who fought in The Battle of the Bulge.
Condolences to the family of Vinny Cieri, who passed away last week.
I hadn’t seen Vinny lately, but when we’d cross paths on the Hill or at Flann O’Brien’s in the old days, he was his usual self, a super nice guy.
RIP, Vinny.
The weather was spectacular for last Saturday’s Mission Hill Road Race to raise funds for the upkeep of Kevin Fitzgerald Park. Mayor Michelle Wu welcomed the large crowd, as did Councilor Durkan.
Zachary Barrett won the 5 K race, which starts and ends at Fitzgerald Park, with a time of 17:54.
There was an impressive father-and-son team with Jim ‘Rabbit’ Ryan finishing the race, along with his speedster son, Nick Ryan, who finished in fourth place at 19:01.
Dan Martin, age 81, also completed the race. Martin stays in shape playing handball and occasionally sipping pints of Guinness.
Kevin A. Fitzgerald was entertaining as the race announcer, and thanks to athletic trainer Brian Fitzgerald, who volunteered his time to care for scrapes and bruises and great job by Pat Flaherty for organizing this terrific event.
Maurice can be reached at [email protected].
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