George Francis (Salty) Mead
2023-07-19Salty and I grew up as kids on the Mead Farm in Arlington. Although we were cousins we were more like brothers, getting into all kinds of mischief on the farm using his dad's tractor when his brother wasn't watching, picking lots of vegatables and selling them to the neighbors and then running to the local market (Wintons) to spend it all on candy. Driving his motor scooter(no engine) with no brakes from the top of Pine Street to Grove Street and then pushing it back to Pine Street. Riding, with other neighborhood kids on the farm horse Blackie. Jumping on the freight train in Arlington Heights and taking it to Lexinton Center then thumbing home. We enjoyed long adventurous bike rides to Hanscom Field. Lexington Dump. etc.
As we "matured" we started hanging around Grove Street with a bunch of others and called ourselves the Grove Street Gang. That era had it's own adventures as we also got our licenses and cars. Salty went in the Army and we grew apart for a whlle, and raised our families him in Arlington and me in Billerica. Eventually as we really matured we created another gang called the Pine Street Five consisting of Salty, Jack Radochia, Earl Foster, Phil Scanlon and myself. We met once per year in Florida at Phil's house in Almelia Island. There. for about five days or so we would compete to see who was the best golfer, could do the most pushups, win at beach bocce, catch the biggest fish, best at bowling and best pool player. All these events and our schedule were closely monitored by Phil, and the winner may get a mini trophy or at least bragging rights.
I could go on forever with stories about Salty, he was an awesome cousin/brother, friend and human being, well liked and admired by kids on his sport teams and their parents alike. I currently live in Florida and it amazes me how many people who move into our golf club from Arlington, knew Salty Mead and made it a point to tell me how much he did for their kids.
So long Salty, the Pine Street Five will meet again, so you and Phil start organizing the events.
Joe Rollins
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Mead, George F. "Salty" of Arlington, age 80, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2023 in Reading, MA. Beloved husband for 56 years of Nancy A. (Hawke) Mead. Loving father of Michael and his wife Shawna of West Boylston, Matthew and his wife Marian of Arlington, Jeffrey and his wife Kerstin of North Reading and Jennifer and her partner Roy Ribas of Ayer. Proud Grampy and Papa of Patrick, Kayla, Alice, Daniel, Amalia, Addison, Jacob and Cameron. He is also survived by his brother Kenneth of Saint Charles, Illinois, and sisters Maureen Guglietta and her husband Peter of Franklin, Eileen Egan and her husband Paul of Leominister and Janice Palmacci and her husband Gary of Leominster, brother-in-law William and his wife Barbara of Austria, sisters-in law Corinne Chaar and her husband Ayman of Manchester, NH and Maryann Cataldo and her husband Robert of Lowell, along with many nieces and nephews. Salty was predeceased in life by his parents Kenneth and Alice (Corbett) Mead. Funeral from The DeVito Funeral Home 1145 Mass Avenue ARLINGTON Tuesday morning at 10:00 followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 at St. Eulalia Church, Winchester. Interment to follow Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Visiting hours Monday 4:00 to 7:00pm.
Born and raised in Arlington, Salty was an Army Veteran having served in Germany for three years. He retired from the Arlington Housing Authority in 2013 after 30 years. He was a faithful man who attended daily Mass. He loved taking care of his yard and was quite proud of his family's heritage of living in the same family farmhouse since 1860.
A family man, Salty enjoyed being with his children and grandchildren and especially looked forward to family vacations at Newfound Lake. He spent many years coaching the youth of Arlington in both baseball and hockey. His true calling was working with kids. He loved teaching them and watching them succeed. He will be missed by many.
Salty, I will miss you in the years ahead and want you to know that I have so much respect for what you did in raising a wonderful family. You were always helping so many kids in town that you became a legend. Your own kids excelled in sports and most important learned and demonstrated respect to others along with caring for you and Nancy all through the years. Our days on the farm when we were kids are so memorable for me as they were the best days and years together playing with the chickens and especially our rides on Blackie the horse. Your Dad would put all five of us on Blackie at the end of the work day for the ride to the barn. We had a lot scary moments on my Flexible Flyer sled with five of us on it going down Landsdown St into the intersection of Hemlock. We made it most of the time but Phil ended up under a car once ith a few scrapes. The Pine Street Five consisted of Joe Rollins, Earl Foster, Phil Scanlan, you and myself. It was so great as we all went to kindergarden together, graduated high school together, all served in the service in the 60’s along with everyone married in the 60’s. From the late 60’s we all stayed in contact with the families and through all the years got together at kids weddings and other events. Yes, this was the way it should be and we all are so fortunate to be able to reflect back on wonderful friendships and most important being there for each other during difficult times. Salty, you have been an inspiration for all of us showing kindness and respect to so many people through the years. I will miss you my friend and my prayers are with you. Rest now as you have done enough and remember you will always have a place in my heart until I see you again. Jack Radochia
tribute by Jack Radochia