Revere Through the Years

10 years ago

February 9, 2005

Mayor Thomas Ambrosino told an approving audience in the City Council Chamber that the city has weathered the fiscal crises of the past two years and is now back on track to face a bright future.

Local developers and real estate moguls Richard and Steven Clayman have purchased the development rights to the North Lot and Lot H on Ocean Ave. at Revere Beach.

The first degree murder trial of William Angelesco, who allegedly shot and killed a Nahant man on December 8, 2001, in the Squire Lounge, got underway this week in Suffolk Superior Court.

State Rep. Robert DeLeo has been named the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee by Speaker Sal DiMasi.

Eugene McCollom, 40, of Winthrop has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the 2001 murder and beheading of John “Jackie” Leyden of Revere. McCollom also is expected to plead guilty to the murder and dismemberment of an unidentified prostitute whose body was dumped at the Chelsea Soldier’s Home where McCollom attended AA meetings. Jackie Leyden’s brother, William, originally had been charged by the Suffolk County D.A. with the murder of his brother because of incompetent police work by the Boston P.D. and only was released from jail when McCollum’s brother stepped forward with information about the killing.

The Wedding Date, Sideways, and Are We there Yet? are playing at the Revere Showcase Cinemas.

20 years ago

February 8, 1995

McDonald’s Corp., which has had a restaurant in the city for many years on Squire Rd., has filed a petition with the Licensing Commission for a fast food restaurant on Revere Beach on the site of Porky’s Barbecue.

Revere state representatives William G. Reinstein and Robert DeLeo said they are skeptical of a bill that would have the state pay for the Big Dig costs because they fear that it will lead to toll increases on the Tobin Bridge and Sumner Tunnel.

A large crowd was on hand for the 100th birthday party at the Wharf Restaurant for Salvatore Paone, who is known by many residents who fondly recall his family’s operation of the Paone Spa, a fixture for decades at 335 Broadway, where fruit, newspapers, and books were sold.

New Revere firefighter Joseph Giannino was sworn in this week with his proud father Chris Giannino, himself a former firefighter, looking on.

30 years ago

February 6, 1985

Mayor George V. Colella delivered his State of the City address Monday. Much of Colella’s speech singled out School Supt. William J. Hill for criticism, with Colella asserting “there is a vacuum of leadership in the office of the Superintendent of Schools, which is disrupting the fabric of the school system.”

William Ferullo is the new President of the Revere Chamber of Commerce, succeeding Barbara Tufts, who had served in that post for two years.

Mrs. Soffel, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Witness are  playing at the Revere Showcase Cinemas.

40 years ago

February 5, 1975

After an emotional, 80-minute meeting, the City Council remains in a quandary about how to improve police and fire protection for No. Revere. The discussion took place after last week’s  tragic fire on Marshall St. that claimed the lives of the five members of a family. City Councilor Edward O’Hara has called for the construction of a new fire station and police substation in that part of the city.

Clarke Mosher, a 60 year old homeowner at 570 Mountain Ave., shot and wounded two of three youths who broke into his house in the middle of the night. Mosher, whose home was broken into a months go, said he was carrying the pistol for his protection.

50 years ago

February 11, 1965

The City Council has agreed to ask the City Solicitor for an opinion as to the whether the pay raises given by City Manager Joseph McChristal to certain city employees, including a $2200 pay raise for himself, and which were approved on a 4-3 vote by the Council, are legal. However, three councillors, Daniel Smith, Ray Carey, and George Colella, who voted against the raises, maintain that five votes of the Council are needed to approve such measures.

The School Committee has named Edward Strong as the new director of foreign languages in the school system.

 

60 years ago

February 10, 1955

A 66 year old Cambridge woman became the city’s first traffic fatality of the year when she was struck by a hit and run driver Sunday evening as she was crossing Ocean Ave. A 24 year old local man came to the police station later that evening and turned himself in as the operator of the motor vehicle.

A state legislative committee heard a plea from members of the Point of Pines Y.C. who told the committee that unless the basin of the Saugus River is dredged, the yacht club will cease to exist. They told the committee that there presently are only three feet of water at low tide.

Captain Joseph Concannon, a member of the National Guard since 1932 who served in WWII and then volunteered to serve in Korea, where he was killed on December 3, 1950, was laid to rest with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery this week. He leaves his wife and two children. He had lived in Beachmont for 20 years and was a member of Beachmont VFW Post No. 6712. He was awarded the Bronze Star in WWII and the Silver Star in Korea.

Former Boston Mayor and Massachusetts Governor James M. Curley was the guest speaker at a tribute attended by local, state, and national leaders in honor of Colonel Joseph Hanken and his wife, Bess, before a capacity crowd at the Frolic on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary. The event was sponsored by VFW Post No. 940.

70 years ago

February 8, 1945

The War Dept. has sent word that Flight Officer Samuel E. Gordon, 27, of 9 Orr Sq., is missing in action after his bomber was shot down over Germany on January 13. He was a 1936 graduate of Revere High and also had graduated from Michigan State Univ.

Good news was received this week by the family of Pfc. Bernard Nugent, 25, who is reported as being a prisoner of war of the Germans. Nugent had been reported as missing in action in October.

There are approximately 6077 telephones presently in service in Revere, more than at any other time in the city’s history.

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