Frank W. Tomasello

Frank W. Tomasello (March 7, 1900 – March 12, 1986) was an American judge.

Personal life

Tomasello was born to Italian immigrants Antonio and Rosario Bonnano.[1] He was graduated from The English High School in 1917 and then studied Latin at Boston College.[2] He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Boston University in 1921. Tomasello served in the United States Army during World War I.[3][2]

A veteran, he spoke out against the abuse of servicemen, and was a supporter of the Legion of Decency.[4]

Career

As a lawyer, Tomasello worked for Assistant US Attorney Francis Ford.[2] He also worked as an aide to Governor Charles F. Hurley who later appointed him as a judge on the Boston Municipal Court.[2] In 1958 he was appointed a judge of the Massachusetts Superior Court by Foster Furcolo.[4] He was considered for a position on the federal bench by President John F. Kennedy but asked the president not to appoint him lest it appear too political.[4]

In 1970, during the Vietnam War, he ordered a 17 year old girl to carry the American flag from Harvard Square to the Middlesex Courthouse and back instead of going to jail for burning the flag.[4][5] He also served on the Massachusetts State Board of Education with fellow State Deputy and future Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus John W. McDevitt.[6]

Knights of Columbus

As a Knight of Columbus, he rose through the ranks of North Quincy Council and served one term as their grand knight.[3] He then rose through the state council chairs and was elected the first Italian State Deputy in 1942.[3] As State Deputy, he organized a war bond drive during World War II.[3] It raised enough money for the Army to buy eight bombers, including one which was named "Massachusetts State Council, Knights of Columbus."[3]

Tomasello also help stop the legalization of birth control in Massachusetts during the 1942 election.[4] He stepped down as State Deputy in 1944.[3]

Death

Tomasello died on March 12, 1986 and is buried in Holy Hood Cemetery in Brookline, Massachusetts.[4]

References

1. Lapomarda, Vincent A. (1992). The Knights of Columbus in Massachusetts (second ed.). Norwood, Massachusetts: Knights of Columbus Massachusetts State Council.
2. Lapomarda 1992, p. 57.
3. Lapomarda 1992, p. 58.
4. Lapomarda 1992, p. 59.
5. "Girl Flag-Burner Marches To Avoid Being Sentenced". The Harvard Crimson. November 18, 1970. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
6. Lapomarda 1992, p. 83.