Brian D. MacPhee

Brian grew up in the 1950’s with his mom, dad, and sisters on Bowdoin Street in Malden. Brian attended Malden Public Schools as a young boy before crossing one town over to attend High School at Melrose High. After High School he enlisted in the Navy, spent time as a Park Police Officer in Medford, and went on to have a 30+ year career at John Hancock in Boston; before taking an early retirement to spend “even more time” with his wife Joanne. 

Brian met Joanne in the mid-70s when he was renting an apartment in Melrose, directly across the street from Joanne’s childhood home. As fate would have it, they soon married and spent the next 46 years together in Melrose; raising a beautiful family and creating lasting memories with so many laughable moments that will never be forgotten.

Brian was one of a kind; a larger-than-life presence, but truly a big teddy bear inside. A guy’s guy, with a no BS, straight-to-the-point approach who was loved by many. During Brian’s retirement, his wife Joanne got a job (Lunch Lady) at Melrose High School and because he could never leave her side, he also accepted a role at MHS (Hall Monitor). 

Walk to work, with summers off, where both of them had attended High School many years before. This experience was never viewed as a job or work by either of them; they loved every minute of it. The relationships built with so many students over the years is something he truly enjoyed. Brian couldn’t understand why he was asked by so many students over the years to hand out their diploma’s. His family knew why; he was just a good guy who wanted to help provide a little support and direction to many.

Brian was so proud of his 3 “kids” and favorite daughter in law; he loved them more than anything. Being “Grampy” to 4 grandsons was the icing on the cake. His family knows this one is going to hurt for some time, but are all deeply relieved he is no longer suffering. Brian had a love for vintage 50’s nostalgia, Boston sports, playing x-mas music throughout the house the day after Halloween, and having coffee with Joanne on the “porch”. The porch and neighborhood won’t be the same. Rest in Peace!

The Brian D. MacPhee Scholarship is awarded to one student, who during their high school years demonstrated significant personal growth. Someone who may have exhibited remarkable maturity in four years, and evolved into a well-respected individual, student, and member of the Melrose community. Also, had to always be polite to the lunch ladies!