Frank J. Esposito (March 24, 1928 – January 9, 2013) was the
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...
of
Norwalk, Connecticut
, image_map = Fairfield County Connecticut incorporated and unincorporated areas Norwalk highlighted.svg
, mapsize = 230px
, map_caption = Location in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Fairfield County and ...
for seven terms, from 1987 to 2001, the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. He also served four terms from 1981 to 1987 in the
Connecticut House of Representatives
The Connecticut State House of Representatives is the lower house in the Connecticut General Assembly, the state legislature (United States), state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The house is composed of 151 members representing an ...
, including as Assistant Majority Leader and Minority Leader.
Early life and family
He was born in Bronx, New York, the fourth of five children of Frank R. Esposito and Mary Zecola Esposito. At the age of 12, he moved to Norwalk with his family and graduated from
Norwalk High School in 1946 where he was an accomplished
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
player.
He was married to Louise Stroffolino, the niece of State Senator
Stanley Stroffolino
Stanley may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
Film and television
* ''Stanley'' (1972 film), an American horror film
* ''Stanley'' (1984 film), an Australian comedy
* ''Stanley'' (1999 film), an animated short
* ''Stanley'' (1956 TV series) ...
, on January 27, 1951.
Esposito served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a sergeant 1st class.
After being discharged, he learned about radio and television engineering at the RCA Institute in New York. He worked for a time at the
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network (also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont Television, simply DuMont/Du Mont, or (incorrectly) Dumont ) was one of America's pioneer commercial television networks, rivaling NBC and CBS for the distinction of being ...
,
and was the owner of a grocery store and delicatessen in Norwalk for over 25 years.
Political career
Esposito began his political career in 1970, as an appointed member of the Norwalk Housing Authority. He then was elected to two terms on Norwalk's Common Council. He served four terms from 1981 to 1987 in the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing
Connecticut's 137th assembly district, including as Assistant Majority Leader and Minority Leader.
[Former Norwalk Mayor Frank Esposito remembered for service to city](_blank)
/ref> In 1987, Esposito resigned from the legislature to run for mayor of Norwalk.
Mayoral administration
Esposito's seven terms from 1987 to 2001 was the longest mayoral administration in the city's history.[Esposito recalled for service to Norwalk](_blank)
/ref>
Death
He died on January 9, 2013, of cancer, and he was buried at St. John's Cemetery in Norwalk.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Esposito, Frank
1928 births
2013 deaths
American grocers
Burials in Saint John's Cemetery (Norwalk, Connecticut)
Deaths from cancer in Connecticut
Connecticut city council members
Mayors of Norwalk, Connecticut
Republican Party members of the Connecticut House of Representatives
Politicians from the Bronx
United States Army personnel of the Korean War
United States Army soldiers
Norwalk High School (Connecticut) alumni