LYNN ― Lynn Vocational Technical Institute students and faculty gathered outside of the school on Neptune Boulevard Wednesday afternoon to honor former director Al “Mal” Malagrifa as his funeral procession passed by.
Malagrifa died last Saturday at the age of 88 from a lengthy illness, but is being remembered by many as a mentor, boss, friend, and an all-around great guy.
Malagrifa spent time as the director, assistant director, electrical teacher and guidance counselor at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute (LVTI).
Before his career at LVTI, Malagrifa spent two years in the U.S. Army, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fitchburg State College, and was a master and journeyman electrician with Local 103.
Bart Conlon worked with Malagrifa for more than 30 years and was the assistant director of the school when Malagrifa was the director, later taking Malagrifa’s place when he retired.
Conlon remembered Malagrifa as having a big effect on not only his life, but hundreds of students’ lives as well.
When Malagrifa was the co-op director at LVTI, Conlon said he helped hundreds of kids get started as electricians through his connections with the electrical union in Boston.
“He had a big impact on a lot of people and was really an incredible guy,” Conlon said. “Looking at all of the comments from former students that are on Facebook and everything, everyone feels the same way. He helped hundreds of kids.”
Known as “Mr. Lynn Tech” to many, Malagrifa always drove around in a car with a license plate reading “LVTI” on it, which will now be taken over by his son, Steve.
“Now when people see the plate, they can remember Mal and what he did for others,” Conlon said.
Conlon said Malagrifa was dedicated to LVTI and its students and staff, helping everyone in any way he could.
Two years ago this week, the city recognized Malagrifa for the countless hours of work and dedication he gave to the school by renaming the LVTI annex building the Albert G. Malagrifa building, which Conlon said was well deserved.
Ward 2 City Councilor Rick Starbard said he could write a book about all the great things Malagrifa did.
Starbard recalled Malagrifa keeping him out of trouble while he was a high school student and later prodding him for years to teach, which he ultimately gave into in 1996, making Malagrifa his boss.
“He changed the trajectory of my life,” Starbard said.
Starbard taught auto-collision repair at LVTI for 14 years and said that’s what influenced him to run for School Committee in 2009 and then City Council, all thanks to Malagrifa.
“He is the guy that has always kept me engaged with Lynn Tech,” Starbard said. “He was one of a kind.”
Ward 5 City Councilor Dianna Chakoutis also had Malagrifa in school, saying he always kept in touch with his former students.
“He was a great friend and he will be sadly missed,” Chakoutis said.
Daily Item correspondent Steve Krause said Malagrifa always had his students’ and LVTI’s best interests in his heart.
“He was great to deal with from the perspective of being a reporter because he was honest and accessible,” Krause said.
Throughout his life, Malagrifa was very active with the LVTI Alumni Association, ran the night-school program at LVTI after his retirement, and was on the Board of Directors of Greater Lynn Senior Services.
Malagrifa was also an usher at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Lynnfield and was involved in coaching basketball and baseball.
Lynn Tech graduate and basketball coach Marvin Avery said Malagrifa was a big inspiration to him, whether it was in the plumbing or electrical shop, or for getting Avery and his basketball team into the Lynn Tech Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I have nothing but respect for him, and he’s going to be greatly missed by the LVTI community,” Avery said.
LVTI employee John Hogan said Malagrifa was his first boss at the school 30 years ago, adding that he was always so nice to all the students and would go out of his way to help anyone.
“I remember once he had bought a dress for a student who would not have gone to the prom and he made sure she went and had a great time,” Hogan said. “He was always at any sporting event but his love for basketball was always forefront.”
Although Hogan did not attend LVTI, his friends who did always spoke highly of Malagrifa.
“Mal made me feel like a Tiger,” Hogan said. “And I will always be one because of Mal.”
