Thirty-Nine Years Ago in Stoughton: The Last Time the Bruins Won the Stanley Cup

It was 39 years ago on May 11, 1972 when the likes of Bobby Orr caused the screams of Stanley Cup success in the voices of Stoughton residents.

For many of you this seems like only yesterday when this occurred, or perhaps you were not even born yet. This historian can honestly say he did not remember it, as he was a little shy of a month from his third birthday. No doubt it was way past my bedtime!

I thought it might be interesting to take a glance at the Stoughton news, events and prices at Roxie’s back on that day in 1972, the last time the Bruins won the Stanley Cup prior to Wednesday night's Game 7 Cup-clinching victory in Vancouver. 

The following is from the Stoughton Chronicle edition of Thursday, May 11, 1972:

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Events at the 6th night of the Stoughton Town Meeting highlighted some of the following hot topics in town.

On the same day the Bruins fan’s saw the Stanley Cup raised, the local hockey and skating youth received bad news.  The town meeting saw the defeat of a $10,000 appropriation for the final plans for an ice skating facility.

Article 47 saw the proposed changing of the town charter so that the election day would not fall on a Saturday.  The Jewish citizens of the town had been thrown into a dilemma by the actions of the town charter committee.  They were now being forced to choose between religious belief and political responsibility.

Article 48 saw the allowance of the construction of a new elderly housing project in Stoughton.    

Article 37 discussed the idea for a new softball field, lights and infield improvements for Stoughton. 

Article 82 was requested by Sebouth S. Garjian to change an area of land in North Stoughton from Neighborhood business to General Business.  This would allow office buildings, eating establishments and almost any retail establishments in the area.  Mr. Garjian mentioned that there had been interested in the area for the construction of a 120-room motel. 

Elsie Simmons of 666 Page Street represented over 100 petitioners who were opposed to the article.  She stated that the area surrounding the parcel of land was zoned for residential purposed and there was no need for another “Cobb’s Corner.”  The article lost 4-91.  Historical fast forward – I think Dunkin Donuts, Target and the offices off Page Street did finally win less than 40 years later.

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The wedding of Barbara Ann Tobin and Barry William Woods took place at St. James Church in Stoughton on April 30th.  Miss Carol Louis Anagnoston and Ronald Myers Perry were married May 6 at the Immaculate Conception Church. 

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Sadly Love appears to have soured for Ellen (Jan Riva – now Jan Jones) and Harry (Thomas Coyle) as they performed the Little Theatre of Stoughton production of the comedy “Luv”.  It was perfomed May 5 and 6 at the auditorium.

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Capt. Paul E. Dembrowsky had graduated from the Air University’s Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.

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The held their School Fair. Highlights included Larry Viola performing a puppet show and a science show by Robert Tropier of the Brockton-Taunton Gas Co.

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A relatively new business in town was at 545 Pearl Street was highlighted in the paper.

The article went on to say “Mrs. Carmelia Denneno and her husband Frank have been in charge of Denneno’s for two years now, and have maintained the family tradition for vera cucina Italina (the real Italian cooking). The Denenno’s make their own dough for their pizza – prized for its lightness in texture, and, they make their own tomato sauce from an old family recipe.  No canned sauces are ever used at Denneno’s."

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You could get clams for $1.70 at Pizza Greco across from the B.P.M. grocery Store (B.P.M. – Brockton Public Market stood where on Washington and Central Streets is today).

Roxie’s Market, where in recent years has been a Chinese buffet, and formerly Applebee’s, was a well utilized Stoughton grocery store before and Roche Brothers came to the area. 

You could stock up on the following – Cadillac Dog Food (6 pack) 6 for 79 cents; Duncan Hines Brownie mix, 2 for 99 cents; Cherrios 15 oz. pachage for 39 cents; Scott Towels, 3 for 89 cents; Friend’s Brown Bread, 3 for 89 cents; Old Dutch Peach Halves, 32 for 85 cents. From the meat counter – Boneless Undercut Roast – 78 cents a pound; Bottom Round Road for 96 cents a pound; Whole frying chickens for 26 cents a pound.

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I am pretty sure in 1972 the did not make it to Stoughton.  But I am honored to know the Bruins drove it right down Route 138 past where one of the Bruins biggest fans now rests in Peace. 

I miss you Dad – this one is for you too.