By Mayor Emeritus Eugene C. Brune

I am sure that there are so many of us who are proud of the accomplishments made in life by family members, and I am no exception. I had two sisters, both of whom attended Somerville High School. My sister Maria Baino married her husband Nat, who, in his younger days, was an amateur boxer and at that time in life had an outstanding record and made the Boston Globe several times by winning the Golden Gloves and the Golden Belt. Nat could have box professional boxer, but my sister insisted that he quit boxing. That was several years ago, they had five children, four daughters and one son, Johnny Baino.

Gene Brune, Frank Ciavattone, John Baino.

My nephew Johnny loved sports, and his playing sports career included baseball, softball, basketball, and football. John started with the Roxbury Red Raiders in 1965, was awarded Most Valuable Player, played for the Charlestown Townies from 1966-1969, played for the Killilea Club from 1970-1972, was awarded Most Valuable Player, and returned to the Charlestown Townies in 1972-1975, winning three championships. John’s father was so proud and attended every game.

John Baino and Sam Greenwood

In 2023, John received an announcement from the AFA Minor League /semi-pro Football Hall of Fame that he was chosen to be enshrined in the “Class of 2023” and was invited to attend the dinner with his daughter, Lauren, in Canton, Ohio.

“The American Football Association proudly presents the distinguished names of the ‘Class of 2023’ who will be enshrined into the AFA Minor League Football Hall of Fame. The following individuals, along with their sponsors, have been recognized for their exceptional contributions: John Baino, Somerville, Mass.”

When receiving his award, Sam Greenwood, a lifetime friend, said in part, “Baino’s football career spanned approximately 10 years. He won multiple championships, multiple awards, and numerous other accolades. He was a teammate extraordinaire. His athletic skill was fundamental to his success. Upon that foundation, he supplemented commitment, dedication, drive, determination, heart, and above all, passion. If you have passion, you will go to the extreme to perform at your best and lift your team to do the same. Baino had passion. I am extremely proud to see my friend recognized today.”

John was also giving a party at one of his favorite bars, Casey’s on Broadway in Somerville, with several of his good friends and family.

My record-breaking nephew, Frankie

My other sister, Josephine Ciavattone, who married Frankie, a Marine veteran of the Korean War, also had six children, four daughters and two sons. Their first son, Frankie Jr., was born when they lived in Somerville, but as time went on, they moved to Norwood, and they had one other son and four daughters. Their son Frankie joined the Norwood High School wrestling team, and during his high school years, he broke all Norwood High School wrestling records. When in high school, his father built him a backyard shack so that he could practice weightlifting, and he continued to help other high school students, neighborhood children, and adults with the art of weightlifting.

Frankie “Frank” Ciavattone Jr

My nephew achieved a significant number of titles and awards during his lifetime that he can most certainly be proud of. Here are several awards that he earned, and we are all proud of his ability. Sad to say, Frankie also had to fight cancer for years while achieving these awards. The Town of Walpole made him the Man of the Year in 1997.

In his younger years, when wrestling, he won the Massachusetts State Wrestling Hall of Fame and the United States Wrestling Hall of Fame. In the world of weightlifting, he is known for many records. United States Weightlifting Hall of Fame, Norwood High School Hall of Fame, World Grip Hall of Fame, Guinness Book of World Records for Neck Lift 808 Lbs. as well as Ripley’s Believe or Not Neck Lift World Records, he also achieved 435 the Times National Weightlifting Records and 325 Times World Weightlifting Records, also 34 Times National Weightlifting Champion and 32 Times World Weightlifting Record, he was also named 40 Times New England Strongest Man.

When becoming the world’s strongest man in February 1991, Frankie was invited to be a guest on the television show To Tell the Truth with Alex Trebek.  Also, in Scotland, he was the First American to lift the famous Dinnie Stones. Frank was also proud of being awarded the National Wrestling Association-Courage Award in 2023.

Frank is the father of four children and the owner of a road construction company.