I lost someone very dear to me yesterday. We shared the same households on both the lower end and City point sections of Southie . Although technically a cousin he was more like a brother who I looked up to in my formative years. His name was George Kotelly and I will sorely miss him. He often commented on my postings because it reminded him of our common experience growing up in Southie. He constantly encouraged me to put my musings into book form. This is dedicated to him.
Ninety years ago this week I was born into this world. It was at the height of the depression so my parents opted to have me birthed at our home on West Fifth St. I lived my first 32 years in Southie, left when I married and returned often to help my parents through their old age. My early childhood memories reflect the period l grew up in, probably different than yours.
Men were the primary providers for the family and women mainly stayed home to raise their children. The majority of the work was manual or factory- based. Primary employment was at Gillette Razor, unloading goods from ships docked in Boston Harbor, working at the main Post Office and or the rail yards, both located at South Station. Others became policemen or firefighters and on our street, priests. This remained true until WWII started when many (men and women) went to the Quincy Yards to build ships for the war effort.
The main means of transportation was the electric trolley. They crisscrossed Southie and you could get anywhere in Town for the cost of a dime. Air travel was in its infancy and cars were still a luxury item only a few of our neighbors could afford.
The Carney Hospital was close by and was convenient for patching up bruises and stitching up wounds. I was a constant visitor, so I was sad went it moved to Dorchester. Even sadder when I learned its doors are now shuttered. Polio was a major concern since the vaccine was yet to be discovered . A sigh of relief when it did become available.
My father took me to the seaport to meet the fishing boats recently returned from the sea. He would negotiate directly with the fishermen the price he was willing to pay, always successfully, and we would have the freshest fish for our meal that evening. Today I get lost among all of the high rise buildings.
Entertainment included radio shows and the movies, available at our two theaters Broadway and the Strand. Television was several years later for me. There were 3 networks and they signed off around midnight with the National Anthem playing. Telephones were a novelty and when we finally got ours we had to share it with 3 other parties. It was fun listening in on their conversations. The street had many children to play with and upon leaving your house you were engaged immediately in a game.
The ice truck brought huge trunks of block ice to the street. How the driver managed to deliver them to the top floor of the three deckers always amazed me. We waited until he was out of sight then grabbed the shavings off of the truck to suck on. Totally unsanitary, so it is amazing we survived. Each street had a mom and pop store at the end of it.
WWII had a major impact on us all. Food was rationed and each household had a ration book which was presented to the grocer when making a purchase. The older boys went off to war and sadly several did not return. Their parents placed a gold star service flag in their window and the Street mourned for their loss. VE Day was celebrated at Dorchester Heights with hundreds of our neighbors.
I look fondly at my time in Southie and return now and again to my childhood locations. Carson Beach, the L St Bath House, Kelley’s landing, Castle Island, Dorchester Heights , the Boys Club-all bring back many wonderful memories.
