Notable Characters
Notable Characters of the 1970′ s - 80’s
These were people who stuck out in there own special way and were known of by the general populous of Newburyport for a specific extraordinary reason.
Duncan Chase- 19 Oct 1919 - Sep 1980. Town Drunk. In the 70′d this was a perfectly acceptable title. It may seem harsh in todays society to some, although Duncan seemed like he was the life of the party, even when there was no party to be had anywhere. You would always hear him say, “I’m a cool cool cat.” Then after that he would belt out a loud meow as he breathed in. He is buried at the Old Hill Burial Ground. His gravestone actually tells you he’s a cool cat!
Larry Howard- The Town Weeper. A frequent addition to any wake and funeral in town. You would think Larry showed up at funerals of people he didn’t know. Larry was seen all over town, so he probably knew everyone anyway.
Christopher Michael aka Michael Lee Stevens- Born 1924, Artist/Poet and flamboyantly dressed figure. He was seen walking his small corgi dog around town.
Tex- the guy with the cowboy hat, farmer overalls, riding a bike with a small dog in a handlebar basket all around town. I’m sure Tex was not his real name, but that is what us young kids called him as I recall. Do you know his name?
Frank Dalton, aka Fran- Photographer of Newburyport Scenery. I own one of his prints of the Bartlet Mall.
Dennis Brown- On any given day you could have seen Dennis’s black limo cruise through town. Convicted on illegal non pharmaceuticals, he was also known by some to have given back to the community. I saw him once at a function with his lovely blond wife and 2 young daughters. He was sporting a well tailored tan suite and some sparkling rings on his fingers. He unfortunately decided to involve himself in a transaction a week later that sent him to the pokey. Word was, he usually didn’t participate in such transactions anymore- personally that is. Although not endorsed in the slightest by any town authority, he once showed up at Park Circle in his Limo with a trunk full of shoes for all the less fortunate children. Love him or hate him, but like a successful businessman he possessed a kind of charisma that radiated across a room. It was just the goods that were the problem…
Richard Miller- 7 Nov 1946 - Jul 1987. Resident of the YMCA on State St who perished in a fire that destroyed the building in July of 1987. He was a large quiet figure who you would often see hanging in the downtown area.
Leroy Lewis - Cop around town. He seemed to be liked by many and seemed to always be smiling while on the beat.
Buzzy Lawler - Son of former Mayor George Lawler. He enjoyed talking to others over the CB radio during the late 70’s and early 80’s when it was cool too. His call name was Spider Man. You would see him around town a bit on his bike. -Kind and friendly character.
Melvin - Info needed.
Andrew aka “Bossy” Gillis - 1896-1965 He was a 7 time Mayor of Newburyport. More Info
Melvin
Sun Shine
Old cop Leroy Louis
And I remember Dennis Brown with a black limo not Steve brown not sure if were talking about the same guy .. But Dennis and a bunch of other locals spent a lot of time in Jail…
the weeper! yes!
“don’t be a coward, vote for larry howard”
Who can forget….
Joe Wiggins
Snakebait
Grasshopper—market square Karate guy
Junior–( Tex’s other name )
Stella–Melvin Russel’s girlfreind or sister…no-one really knows
Johhny Waz
Eddie Dugan
Atty Stevens ( lady who drove a cab with her cats )
Timmy ( guy on the large tricycle who collected cans and wore a Yankee’s cap
Pop Crowley ( no relation )
….Atty Stevens was actually Madeline Lunt (Lunts Taxi Service)
…..Richard (The whistler) Miller
Another town drunk who shared the rum with Duncan Chase was Jackie Flynn..Not quite as colorful but when not in jail was always on State Street.
One other character who comes to mind was Ray ??? who rode a bicycle complete with flashing red light and sirene and chased fire trucks.
Does anyone know if Larry Howard tried to run for Mayor of NBPT? Ben mentioned a political slogan or chant above regarding Larry. The slogan sounds familiar.
The best fire/accident/civil defense chaser hands down was Booga Greenwood!!! That guy was on the scene before the police or fire department and he was riding his bike!! He had a radio on him that proberly had a direct line to the White House. He was ahead of his time.
Ace the ump- he umped the Seinor League. Always in his green dickies and his famous hand motion when calling a strike, it took him 5 minutes to make the call.
Tom Mc Kinney or Mc Kenney- he was a well known umpire in the late 70’s for the Pioneer League.
Hard to mention notable characters of olde Newburyport without including John J.”Bear” Currier. Where to start…..legendary status at the Park Lunch, Salisbury Reservation, Graf Rink and as long time manager of the 5 Cents Savings Bank Senior League team.
He left us too early at age 46 but he squeezed a lot out of life while he was with us and what a character he was.
Booga Greenwood was a great character. He was well ahead of his time with his jean shorts, but “First on the Scene” of any fire was either “Perkie” or “Hanson”.
Also, God rest their souls….Park Lunch Hall of Famers :
Al Moser and Happy Degres ( sp? )
Some of these folks (though colorful) had sad sides to their “stories”. Mr. Howard for example was also noted for peeping into house windows at night and exposing himself in public. I once found Duncan Chase shivering and crying in a parking lot in winter because he was hungry and cold. Melvin was a mentally retarded man who was childlike, harmed none, but who was often bullied and taunted by “normal” kids.
Christopher Michael was a delightful character who was also picked on, in his case because he was gay. I remember many colorful characters from Newburyport in years past. I also remember the sadness, mental illness, abuse and other things that they endured in spite of the good intentions of many who befriended them in varying degrees.
Don’t let us forget Jacky Flynn, he was Duncan Chases’ side kick for a while in the early 70’s. Jacky drown trying to prove to Duncan he could swim across the Merrimac.
RE: Tex; He live on the corner of Merrimac st and Pop Crowley way, I think his first name was Larry I am positive his last name was Russel. Larry Russel
DUH me I should read before I type, Yes Larry Russel was called Junior by some and Tex by others. He was harmless and I remember someone calling him Tex he lit right up was poud of the name… I think he was a relation to Melvin not sure though…
Atty was a little old lady who hung around State Street..the kids teased her and she would chase them with her purse to try and whack them..yes DUH dmeaton Larry Russell is Melvin brother and he work on the trash truck,,Larry lost part of his foot on the trash truck and went to work out to the Industrail Park..and Madiline Lunt had her own cab for years ,,was always at the Train Depot on Washington Street to pick up people form the Train…there were rumor around town that she left alot of money to her cats when she did pass away..and the Guy who rode the bike collecting cans was Junior Russell..not sure if he was realted to Melvin and Larry…
D.A.KUSE, I was talking about Junior Russel being his relative he is not Melvins brother he was called Junior but his first name was Larry.
How can we all forget the other town drunk …Mr. Robert Estabrooks…”you sicky goofs”