Despite a sprinkle of rain, a fine crowd gathered at Brigham Circle on Memorial Day to pay homage to our fallen veterans during a brief ceremony led by Mission Hill Post Commander Col. Georg Rollins.
M.H. Post member Garret Savluk, a gifted bugle player, started the observance by playing the National Anthem, ‘Taps,’ and ‘Amazing Grace.’
Brigadier General Enoch ‘Woody’ Woodhouse, age 99, gave a beautiful concise oration that encapsulated why we were congregating on this sacred day. Woody loves talking to youngsters and as he chatted with 13-year-old Will Mullin, and Gavin Mullin, age 11. The Mullin brothers looked up to Woody with reverence.
City Counselor Sharon Durkan called for a moment of silence for brave Boston Firefighter Robert Kilduff, who recently lost his life in the line of duty.
It was nice seeing many friends who attended including Elaine Niland, who I had last seen 60 years ago at Tobin Court.
After the ceremony, we had a terrific meal at The Mission Bar & Grill, and thanks to Maria Weinograd from Mike’s Donuts for her great coffee that warmed the early Brigham Circle arrivals.
I had a wonderful time at the Mission Grammar School – Road to College fundraiser last month at Emmanuel College.
It was great mingling with friends including Crissy Dwyer, Tricia Fitzgerald, former Killilea Club great quarterback, Dan Breen and his lovely wife Mary Ellen ‘Tooch’ Breen.
Ikenna Ndugba, Class of ‘09 received the prestigious Kevin Fitzgerald Alumnus of the Year Award. Ikenna became a terrific hoop player at Elon College in North Carolina, and he is currently playing pro ball overseas. More importantly, he is a great guy who never forgets where he came from.
Father Philip Dabney took the stage, and he crooned a song so superbly, I call him the “Bing Crosby of Mission Church.”
I and my five older siblings graduated from Mission Grammar, which opened in 1889.
Three in my family received coveted scholarships from Mission Grammar to Mission High School, John Martin, Theresa Martin, and Tom Martin. Tom later became Dr. Tom Martin.
Gratitude to school president Dr. Aliece Dutson and Principal Caroline Sliney for organizing this great event, and thanks to the many donors, including our own Mission Hill Post 327.
Renowned Father Robert Lennon, the former Healing and Restoration Minister at Mission Church, passed away last month in Florida.
Often called Father Bob, he was ordained in 1957 and served at Mission Church for decades.
While attending Mission Grammar School Father Bob played second base on the famous 1944 Mission C.Y.O. baseball team. That team lived out their dreams playing at Fenway Park and Braves Field, en route to winning the state championship.
Before the games Father Bob and teammates would pray and light candles at Mission Church for their big brothers who were in Europe and the South Pacific during World War II.
I sometimes stop at the Galway House in Jamaica Plain for a nice meal.
Skilled chef, Jimmy Curran, has been feeding the hungry at Galway for 40-plus years. I told Jimmy last week that I love his chicken pie topped with mashed potatoes.
Someone once said, “To be a good cook you have to like people.”
Jimmy, an easy-going, pleasant guy, fits the bill.
I enjoyed chatting with Taylor Luks and Alex Moskus at Mike’s Donuts.
They are bright Northeastern students who live around the corner at Carmel Street. They like reading the Gazette, and Alex suggested the paper introduce a crossword puzzle.
Kudos to Hillside Street resident Scott Roy, who was featured in the Globe sports page last month for doing yeoman’s work as head coach of the Woburn High volleyball coach.
A hug to my close friends Bill Mullin and Virginia (Simmons) Mullin, who celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. The loving Mission Hill couple was married in Mission Church May 15, 1971, and I was proud to be one of their ushers.
I enjoyed perusing through ‘Treehouse In The City,’ written and illustrated by talented Stephen Harris.
The story is dedicated to the Mission Hill neighborhood where Stephen grew up, and where Stephen and his friends enjoyed building tree houses, particularly in his backyard on Carmel Street.
As an adult, Stephen developed his talents and graduated from Mass College of Art and Design, earning a degree in sculpture. He later started a business, Harris Custom Design.
The book is on display at the Parker Hill Library, as well as at Mike’s Donuts.
The great ones come along infrequently, and Roscoe Baker, who passed away last month, was such a man.
Roscoe was the all-time best athlete from Roxbury. He was a four sports (basketball, football, baseball, and track) star at Roxbury Memorial, Class of ‘57.
More noteworthy than Roscoe’s athleticism is his legacy as a role model, having mentored thousands of Roxbury kids.
After graduating from Delta State College, Roscoe taught math and phys ed at the Timilty Middle School in Roxbury, and he became director of the Roxbury Boys and Girls Club.
Frank Williams recalled some of his childhood days at the Roxbury Boys & Girls Club.
Said Frank, who later played on the great English High football teams in the ‘60s, “Roscoe was strict, but he stressed respect and discipline.”
Roscoe was also a basketball referee for 50 years and one of the founders of the Boston Neighborhood Basketball League..
Roscoe tried out for the Celtics in 1961, but it was difficult to make the pros then with only nine NBA teams (currently there are 31 NBA teams).
He played on the prominent South End Bruins hoop team at the historic Norfolk House and at the Tobin Gym.
Hooray to Lidia Palacio, who recently graduated from City College with a degree in business management. At Mike’s Donuts, I perk up when I see Lidia’s pretty face as she is so nice and congenial.
The Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services will hold their annual meeting Thursday, June 25, (rain date: June 29) at Kevin Fitzgerald Park beginning at 5 p.m.
There will be an election of board members, an organizational report. Afterwards there will be food and entertainment.
Mission Church promoted a fish dinner last month to raise money for the poor, and kudos to the 140 people who attended and enjoyed a fine meal at the Church Parish Center.
Q: What did the fish say to his friend he hadn’t seen in a while?
A: Long time no sea.
Maurice can be reached at [email protected].