Michael Joseph Favulli (1908–1990) was an American athlete, educator, and politician who served on the
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester ( , ) is a city and county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, the city's population was 206,518 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the second-List of cities i ...
city council from 1954 to 1960 and the
Massachusetts Governor's Council
The Massachusetts Governor's Council (also known as the Executive Council) is a governmental body that provides advice and consent in certain matterssuch as judicial nominations, pardons, and commutationsto the Governor of Massachusetts. Counc ...
from 1957 to 1963. He was convicted of bribery in 1965.
Holy Cross Crusaders football
The Holy Cross Crusaders football team is the collegiate American football program of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. The team is a member of the Patriot League, an NCAA Division I conference that participates in the F ...
team. He took over the starting center role his sophomore season, but also saw snaps at right tackle due to injuries. Favulli missed the entire 1931 season due to a knee injury. He reinjured the knee in the October 15, 1932, game against
Detroit
Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at t ...
, ending his football career.
On November 28, 1932, Favulli announced he would become a professional boxer. He was managed Cecil P. Dodge, former co-manager of
Lou Brouillard
Lucien Pierre Brouillard, better known as Lou Brouillard, (May 23, 1911 – September 14, 1984), was a Canadian professional boxer who held the World Welterweight Title and a version of the World Middleweight Title.
. He made his pro debut on December 9, 1932, in Worcester. In the fight, he knocked out Jimmy Sheldon in 42 seconds. On February 10, 1933, he knocked out Eddie Callahan.
Coaching
Favulli coached at
Millbury High School
Millbury Memorial Junior/Senior High School is a public school in Millbury, Massachusetts, serving students in grades seven through twelve. The school was founded in 1851.
History
Millbury Memorial Junior/Senior High School was founded in 1851 ...
, taught and coached at the Grafton Street Junior High School, and coached football, basketball and baseball at the
Worcester Academy
Worcester Academy is a private school in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is the oldest educational institution founded in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, and one of the oldest day-boarding schools in the United States. A coeducational prepara ...
. In 1946 he served as the junior varsity football coach at Holy Cross. In 1947 he promoted boxing at the
Worcester Memorial Auditorium Worcester Memorial Auditorium (also known simply as "the Aud") is a multi-purpose arena located at Lincoln Square in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was built in 1933 to honor the sacrifices of Worcester citizens during times of war. The building inclu ...
.
Politics
In 1953, Favulli was elected to the Worcester City Council. He remained on the council until he was defeated for reelection in 1959. In 1956, Favulli was elected to represent the 7th District on the Massachusetts Governor's Council. He was beat by funeral home director Walt Kelly in the 1962 Democratic primary, ending his enture on the council. Following his defeat, Favulli became a special representative to the Massachusetts Commerce Department.
Bribery trials
On May 7, 1964, Favulli was indicted on bribery charges for allegedly soliciting and receiving a bribe from a man with a criminal record seeking a pardon. On December 10, 1964, he was found not guilty.
On October 13, 1964, Favulli was one of four councilors indicted for soliciting and accepting bribes from Governor
Foster Furcolo
John Foster Furcolo (July 29, 1911 – July 5, 1995) was an American lawyer, writer, and Democratic Party politician from Massachusetts. He was the state's 60th governor, and also represented the state as a member of the United States House o ...
in exchange for voting in favor of the reappointment of state public works commissioner Anthony N. DiNatale. On September 28, 1965, Favulli, Joseph Ray Crimmins, Raymond F. Sullivan, and Ernest C. Stasiun were found guilty of conspiracy and requesting bribes in connection with DiNatale's reappointment. He was sentenced to two years in jail. On March 14, 1967, Favulli was ordered to jail by Judge Eugene A. Hudson after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld his conviction. He was released on parole on September 21, 1967.
Later life and death
In 1972, Favulli moved to Falmouth, Massachusetts. His wife, Elizabeth C. (Nuzzo) Favulli, died in 1989. On September 4, 1990, Favulli died in
Falmouth Hospital
Falmouth Hospital is a private medical center located in Falmouth, Massachusetts founded in 1963.