By Carol Britton Meyer

In his new book, “Stickball to Clamshells,” longtime Hull resident and former firefighter Tommy Claffey recollects in a conversational and humorous way his childhood years spent in Hull during the 1940s and 1950s – from playing pranks on his friends to numerous adventures in school and around town.

**STORYTELLER.** Hull’s Tommy Claffey describes the transition from city life to growing up in Hull in his new memoir, ‘Stickball to Clamshells.’ [Courtesy photo]

Each engaging chapter is centered on a different recollection or experience, and imparts a lesson of its own, which could well start the reader reminiscing about his or her own childhood.

“The book is a period piece featuring several elements, including romance, humor, human interest, and coming of age. There’s even a haunted house in the mix,” Claffey told The Hull Times. “It is not cemented in historical fact; rather, it’s a narrative of what it was like growing up in my earlier years in a city element and then transitioning to Hull in increments due to [circumstances at the time].”

A good portion of the book relates to Claffey staying occasionally with his Uncle Tony and Aunt Rose on Hampton Circle before moving here permanently with his mother when he was still a young boy. He also recounts the adventures he had with his late cousin, Dave.

After moving from Mattapan to Hampton Circle, Claffey found himself starting fifth grade at the original Damon School. His book details what it was like living in Hull during a time when he recalls the town being referred to as “‘Brockton-by-the-Sea” by outsiders, “Dodge City” in the summer, and “Siberia” during the winter months.

The title of the book refers to going from playing stickball in the street in Mattapan, where he spent the first few years of his life, to playing football in summer residents’ back yards in Hull when their properties were vacant, swimming in the ocean, and playing on the beach and noticing clamshells.

The focus of the book is on the overall experience being “very fun and positive,” he explained. “My cousin and I shared many adventures in that part of Hull and also at World’s End [in Hingham],” he said.

The boys also enjoyed fishing, taking Uncle Tony’s dory out on the bay, wiener roasts beside the bay wall, and fun at Paragon Park, where Claffey also worked for several years – from selling newspapers there to being a miniature golf course attendant to running the Wild Mouse ride when he was in Hull High School.

When writing “Stickball to Clamshells,” Claffey said he had one thing in mind: “To provide an escape from all the trials and tribulations of today’s world; a retreat into yesteryear and a different era that would spread a little joy and fun.”

While he’s not thinking this to be a great novel, he explained, “I do honestly feel it is a fun read.”

Living in Hull most of his life, Claffey considers Hull to be his playground.

“I have saltwater in my veins,” he said. “I feel fortunate to live in this beautiful town.”

When asked what he likes best about his hometown, he replied, “Every inch of it.”

Claffey has another book coming out next month entitled, “Tears in the Parlor,” related to his early childhood experiences living in Mattapan.

“My grandmother was related to James Michael Curley, and we had a very large family,” he said. “It was an interesting and remarkable time.”

Moving to Hull as a young boy “opened up so much for me. It was wonderful,” he recalled.

In the early 1990s, Claffey had a story each published in Yankee Magazine and Reminisce Magazine that shared some of his childhood adventures with readers.

“The day we put soap suds in the Tunnel of Love” – featured in Yankee Magazine – told the zany tale of how he and several other boys poured soap suds into the ride’s water reservoir at Paragon Park. “When the soap got to the paddle wheel, it was like a big washing machine, with soap suds everywhere!” he remembers.

Another time, in the 1950s, Claffey and a friend appeared live on the Community Auditions show, accompanying on guitar at her father’s request a young girl they were acquainted with who was in the lineup to sing “Stupid Cupid,” the only song she knew. The story he wrote about the experience appeared in Reminisce Magazine.

“She forgot the words and froze, so we started the song all over again. At the same time, our guitar amplifier blew up on stage, and a member of the crew ran out to throw sand on it to put the fire out,” Claffey recalled. “The whole thing was a disaster!”

Claffey served as a Hull firefighter for 26 years and was a member of the dive team before retiring. He enjoys working in his yard and visiting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“Stickball to Clamshells” is available at the Barnes & Noble bookstore and on Amazon.com.