LAWRENCE — The game was as different as the day. Sometimes it was Wiffle ball or street hockey or a pickup baseball game at the local field.
David Abdoo knew all the kids in his Mount Vernon neighborhood in those days. And he was always ready for action no matter how much bigger and older the opponent, recalls childhood buddy John Naroian, 43.
"He'd come walking down the street looking for a challenge," said Naroian, now an attorney in Methuen. "He never backed down from a challenge."
Fast forward several decades, and again, Abdoo, the feisty kid who grew up at 15 Corbett Road, is looking for a challenge. This one, a run for mayor, may be the biggest battle of his life.
His trademark love
Driving the run, said Abdoo, 42, is his deep love for his native city and a desire to see it grow and flourish. Dennis Bistany, who died last summer in a swimming accident, was one of Abdoo's closest friends and served as a groomsman in Abdoo's 1999 wedding. Growing up, Bistany always chided Abdoo, saying, "One of these days you'll be the mayor of Lawrence."
"He's always been a loyal kid," Naroian said. "He's always been committed to Lawrence. That's a trademark of Dave's."
Abdoo's wife, Stephanie, completely agreed.
On their third date, Abdoo brought her to Lawrence and gave her a tour.
They checked out his Mount Vernon neighborhood, Tower and Prospect hills, Malden Mills on Broadway and more. As their relationship progressed, they dined at the local landmarks, Bishop's and Cedar Crest, and once they married, Lawrence became their home. David has said one of his proudest accomplishments was selling his bride, "then Lexington gal," on the city.
Early in their marriage, Abdoo became a Planning Board member and also worked on the Master Plan Committee. For some, such an appointment would be considered a chore. But Stephanie said her husband embraced the work and they spent many of their own evenings together, driving around the city, conducting impromptu site reviews.
"We spent a lot of our time driving around with Dunkin' Donuts coffee visiting sites that were going to be permitted," she recalled. "He'd tell me, 'Habitat is building a house here' or describe whatever was planned."
The drives were more evidence to her of David's interest in the city. And by now, she was hooked, too.
"I realized that a lot of people's perceptions about Lawrence were flawed," she said. "Once people are here, no matter what neighborhood you're in, there are wonderful people." Today, the Abdoos, with their children, Elizabeth, 9, and Michael, 7, live at 54 Stevens Ave., right around the corner from the Corbett Road home where David grew up.
"I have never regretted coming here," Stephanie said. "It's a decision I would make again. Things have only gotten better for us as a family."
Deep roots
For the most part, Abdoo has never really left his hometown. He attended Central Catholic High School and earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Salem State College, where today he serves on the board of trustees.
He started working on his master's degree at Suffolk University, a plan that's on hold right now as he runs for mayor.
Over the years, he worked as an aide to Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, at UPS, and most recently, in Boston, as a media and governmental affairs specialist in the health and human services division of the federal government.
He also served in the National Guard and attended basic training in Florida. He and his family are parishioners of St. Patrick's Church on Broadway, which coincidentally, is just steps away from Abdoo's campaign office.
With the exception of military training and deployments, Abdoo has never really lived anywhere but the "Immigrant City," according to friends and family.
"He's gone far, but he always comes home," Stephanie said.
Supporter Domingo Melendez said Abdoo's roots, education and morals resonate with voters and give him an edge over his opponent.
"I want to vote for someone who really knows what it takes to be in that office," said Melendez, who previously supported mayoral candidate Marcos Devers. "Someone who knows how to balance what's right and someone you can reach."
"I can say this because I know both men," said Melendez.
A mayor for everyone
Two years ago, Abdoo was elected to the City Council, filling the District F seat previously held by Gil Frechette. Over the months, Abdoo said he realized that for the city to grow and prosper, Lawrence's next leader was going to need to be accessible, transparent and progressive. His city needed him.
"A lot of people were saying, 'Dave, we need you to do this,'" Naroian said. That, coupled with what Abdoo was seeing himself, "made him want to run for the people ... as much as he wanted to run for himself."
Publicly, Abdoo has said over and over again that "he's not the smartest person in the room." But for what he says he lacks intellectually, Abdoo said he believes he makes up for with patience, thought, common sense and an open mind.
"I am a positive person. A person who wakes up every day and moves forward," he told a group of senior citizens recently.
Improving the city will be no easy feat. The city's finances need to be audited and waste eliminated.
The infrastructure — roads and sidewalks — need both repair and cleaning. And city schools need a new superintendent and that search must start immediately, Abdoo said.
Progress will require both strong leadership and unity.
"This is truly a historic race because of the challenges that face Lawrence. Those challenges ahead require more than just one person," Abdoo said. "I want to be your mayor. I want to be everyone's mayor."
