Edward DeSaulnier

Edward J. DeSaulnier Jr. (January 8, 1921 – April 20, 1989) was an American politician and judge from the commonwealth of Massachusetts. He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1949 through 1957, in the Massachusetts Senate from 1957 through 1958, and on the Massachusetts Superior Court from 1958 through 1972. His son, Mark DeSaulnier, is a member of the United States House of Representatives.

Edward DeSaulnier
Judge of the Massachusetts Superior Court
In office 1958–1972
Member of the Massachusetts Senate
In office 1957–1958
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office 1949–1957
Personal details
Born	Edward Joseph DeSaulnier Jr January 8, 1921[1] Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Died	April 20, 1989 (aged 68) Juno Beach, Florida
Children	4, including Mark DeSaulnier
Education	Holy Cross College Boston University School of Law

Early life

DeSaulnier is from Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He graduated from Holy Cross College. During World War II, DeSaulnier served as a combat pilot in the United States Marine Corps. He served during the Battle of Iwo Jima. After the war, he graduated from the Boston University School of Law.[2]

Career

DeSaulnier served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1949 through 1957, when he took a seat in the Massachusetts Senate.[3][4] Governor Foster Furcolo appointed DeSaulnier to the Massachusetts Superior Court in 1958.[5] In 1962, DeSaulnier was accused of accepting bribes from a criminal defendant. Though the statute of limitations meant he could not be charged, DeSaulnier was disbarred by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in 1972.[6]

After his disbarment, DeSaulnier worked for a company that sold bulletproof vests.[7] He developed alcoholism, recovered, and then earned a degree from Rutgers University's School of Alcohol Studies and became deputy director of Broward County, Florida's commission on alcoholism.[8] He petitioned the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers to reinstate his law license in 1979, but his request was denied in 1980.[2] The New England Patriots hired DeSaulnier in 1981 to consult on issues around substance abuse.[9]

Personal life

DeSaulnier died in his home in Juno Beach, Florida, in 1989, by a self-inflicted gunshot.[2][10] He had four sons,[2] including Mark, a politician who serves in the U.S. House of Representatives.[11]

See also

• Massachusetts Senate's 1st Middlesex district

References

2. "28 Apr 1989, 23 - The Boston Globe at". Newspapers.com. April 28, 1989. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
3. "1 Sep 1971, 43 - The Boston Globe at". Newspapers.com. September 1, 1971. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
4. Daniel Borenstein (September 12, 2013). "DeSaulnier meditates on political journey – East Bay Times". Eastbaytimes.com. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
5. https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dan-morain/article2600762.html
6. "Bay State Court Disbars A Judge". New York Times. January 12, 1972. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
7. "27 Jul 1975, 4 - The Boston Globe at". Newspapers.com. July 27, 1975. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
8. "19 Nov 1979, 13 - The Boston Globe at". Newspapers.com. November 19, 1979. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
9. "The New England Patriots announced Thursday the hiring of... - UPI Archives". Upi.com. April 23, 1981. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
10. "Supervisor Goes From Saloon Keeper to Key Power Broker / Mark DeSaulnier, owner of TR's, pours himself into politics". SFGate. September 10, 1998. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
11. Feathers, Todd. "Calif. congressman's political seed sown in Lowell area – Lowell Sun". Lowellsun.com. Retrieved March 22, 2020.