by Naveen Anwer

A Somerville legislator has filed a bill in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to dedicate a fishing hole on the Mystic River to a recently deceased Vietnam veteran.

“I think it is appropriate to recognize someone who paid the price for serving his country,” said State Rep. Timothy J. Toomey Jr., D-Somerville, whose legislation now stands before committee on Beacon Hill.

The proposed placque is to be dedicated to Patrick L. Sullivan of Somerville, who passed away April 21, 2002, at age 54. Sullivan served in the Army during Vietnam. After returning from the war, he was diagnosed with Leukemia, lost sight in one eye and had triple-bypass surgery. Sullivan, who was in a wheelchair, also had dialysis three times a week. Eventually, he lost both of his legs two weeks before he passed away, said Joan M. Guarino, Sullivan’s sister.

“He went to hell and back after Vietnam,” said Guarino. “When my brother came home from the war it was the Fourth of July weekend. Pat was a big, strong man. Fireworks went off and it shook him.”

Sullivan used to spend time at a secluded fishing hole on the Mystic River at Draw Seven Park. “He loved it out there by the fishing hole, that was where all his friends would go to go fishing,” Guarino said.

This fishing hole has become a peaceful hangout for veterans and longtime fishermen. “After my brother passed away, I would go out to the park to see how he would feel when he used to come here,” said Guarino.

Three flags are fastened to a flagpole in Draw Seven Park: the American flag, an MIA flag, and a flag of a striped bass fish. A friend of Sullivan’s, John Shaw, said the American flag was stolen last year.

“The city wasn’t ready to get a new flag to put up down here, so a few of us pitched in and bought a new one,” said Shaw. “There are about 15 of us, and we like to call ourselves ‘the old farts’ club. We all have nicknames for each other. We called Patrick ‘Sully.’ He was a regular around here. He’d come down here every morning.”

Thomas A. Tosi, known as ‘the fish maker’ to his friends, got a plastic striped bass fish and stuck it on top of the flagpole. “Someone needs to stock this place with more fish so we catch them,” he said.

“This park is so out of the way the city officials forget about it, and they came really late this year to cut the grass,” said Ralph S. Bowdridge, who knew Sullivan for four years. “So our friend Jimmy McNabe came out here with his lawnmower and cut the grass himself. We all do our part to keep this place clean.”

Wally J. Hawe, a war veteran who served in Vietnam as a sergeant, knew Sullivan for 20 years. “Patty was a true fisherman. He was down here all the time, and he got along with everyone,” said Hawe.

“At times, Pat would just disappear, and we had no idea where he would go,” said Guarino. “One time it was getting late and we were worried about him, so my son Jason said we should go down to the fishing hole to look for him. That was the first time I even heard about this place,” said Guarino. Sullivan was very close to his nephew, Jason P. Guarino, she said.

“Sully had to have dialysis three times a week, and he would get really depressed afterwards. So he would come down here, and when he got home you could tell his spirits were lifted,” said Guarino.

Sullivan’s friends had a wooden bridge built so he could fish in his wheelchair. “He would never ask anyone to go out of their way to do anything for him, which is why when his friends had a ramp built for him, so he could go out onto the water, he was honored,” said Guarino. “The ways they help each other fascinate me.” But, last year, the ramp was accidentally burnt down.

Theresa Dipietro, a friend of Guarino’s, said, “I didn’t know Patrick. I met Joan after he had passed away, but from hearing so much about him—from Joan and his family and friends—I feel like I did know him. This fishing hole is their own world down here. It’s so peaceful here, which is nice for them. They have created their own little community with a culture of its own.”

Guarino had a cookout by the fishing hole September 5, 2003, in memory of her brother. More than 120 family members and friends attended, including Toomey, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, who was then an alderman-at-large, Alderman William M. Roche, Alderman-at-Large Dennis M. Sullivan and School Committee member Maureen Bastardi.

“I am going to have an annual cookout here in honor of my brother because I find it very difficult to visit his grave. This is my way of visiting him,” said Guarino.

“I planned the cookout last year in a moment’s notice, and we had such a wonderful turn out,” she said. “Billy Roche cooked, which am I very grateful for.”

This year, Guarino will continue her tradition by having her cookout in September, after Labor Day. She said she plans to hand out 200 official invitations. The event will include guest speakers, food and entertainment.

“I am hiring an Elvis impersonator, an accordion player, a DJ, a clown, and face-painting for the kids. I am also going to have all kinds of different food,” said Guarino. “My mother is ecstatic about the cookout. She is going to come out to the park in her electric wheelchair for Sully.”