John Edward Moran

John Edward Moran more commonly referred to as J. Edward Moran (December 2, 1897 – March 12, 1962) was an American politician who served as the 30th Mayor of Burlington, Vermont.

John Edward Moran
30th Mayor of Burlington, Vermont
In office June 6, 1949 – June 2, 1957
In office June 1, 1948 – June 5, 1949 (Acting)
Preceded by	John J. Burns
Succeeded by	Claude Douglas Cairns
President of the Burlington, Vermont Board of Aldermen
In office June 3, 1946 – June 7, 1948
Preceded by	Raymond L. Beaulieu
Succeeded by	Louis G. Lavalley (as President pro tempore)
Member of the Burlington, Vermont Board of Aldermen
In office December 11, 1940 – April 5, 1949
Preceded by	Bernard J. Leddy
Succeeded by	Raymond A. Contois
Personal details
Born	December 2, 1897 Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
Died	March 12, 1962 (aged 64) Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
Resting place	New Mount Calvary Cemetery, Burlington, Vermont
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Lauria Mary Brisson ​ ​ (m. 1920; his death 1962)​
Children	4
Mother	Ellen Frances O'Neill
Father	Edward H. Moran

Life

John Edward Moran was born on December 2, 1897 in Burlington, Vermont to Edward H. Moran and Ellen Frances O'Neill.[1] He was educated in the parochial schools of Burlington.[1] He worked at a variety of occupations in his younger years and spent the majority of his career with Abernethy Clarkson Wright, Inc., a Burlington department store, where he was a salesman, shipping clerk, and department manager.[2][3]

Moran was long active in politics as a Democrat, including serving as a delegate to numerous state and national party conventions.[4][5][6] In addition, Moran served as chairman of the Burlington City and Chittenden County Democratic Committees.[7][8] He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Order of Alhambra, Society of the Holy Name, Elks Club, and Fraternal Order of Eagles.[1]

In December 1940, Ward 4 Alderman Bernard J. Leddy resigned after being appointed an Assistant U.S. Attorney.[9] Moran was the only candidate in the low turnout special election and won with all 68 votes cast for him.[9] He served as an alderman from 1940 to 1949.[1] He was serving as president of the Board of Aldermen when Mayor John J. Burns resigned to become Burlington's postmaster, elevating Moran to acting mayor.[10] He was elected to a full two-year term in 1949, and won reelection in 1951, 1953, and 1955.[1] On March 5, 1957 Claude Douglas Cairns defeated Moran's bid for another term in an upset with 4,053 votes to 3,830.[11]

In 1958, Moran was appointed as one of Burlington International Airport's managers.[1] He was diabetic in his later years and died at DeGoesbriand Memorial Hospital on March 12, 1962 after suffering multiple heart attacks.[1] After his death former Mayor James E. Fitzpatrick and Mayor Robert K. Bing praised Moran for his service to the city.[1]

Family

In 1920, Moran married Lauria Mary Brisson (1898-1980) of Burlington.[1][12][13] They were the parents of four children -- Harold, Janice, Lorraine, and Katherine.[1]

Electoral history

John Edward Moran electoral history

1957 Burlington Mayoral Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Claude Douglas Cairns	4,053	51.41%
	Democratic	John Edward Moran	3,830	48.59%
Total votes			7,883	100%

References

1. "Former Burlington Mayor Moran Dies". The Burlington Free Press. 13 March 1962. p. 1. Archived from the original on 24 December 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
2. "1930 United States Federal Census, Entry for John E. Moran". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. 1930.
3. Manning's City Directory for Burlington, Winooski, and Essex Junction, Vermont. LIII. Springfield, MA: H. A. Manning Company. 1943. p. 143 – via Ancestry.com.
4. "Democrats Name Their Delegates". Burlington Free Press. May 5, 1936. p. 10. Archived from the original on January 13, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "State's Democrats Pledged to F. D." Bennington Banner. May 23, 1940. p. 4. Archived from the original on January 19, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "The Home Front Reports to the Fighting Fronts". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. May 23, 1944. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "J. E. Burke Again Named for City Representative". Burlington Free Press. October 24, 1932. p. 7. Archived from the original on January 19, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Moran Reelected County Democratic Committee Head". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. May 23, 1942. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Ward 4 Counts Election Ballots In 2 Minutes". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. December 10, 1940. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Burns Becomes Postmaster; Moran Acting Mayor". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. June 2, 1948. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Votes by Ward For Mayor". The Burlington Free Press. 6 March 1957. p. 11. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Vermont Marriage Records, 1909-2008, Entry for John Edward Moran and Mary Lauria Brisson". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. 1920.
13. "Vermont Death Records, 1909-2008, Entry for Lauria Moran". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. 1980.