Joseph A. Langone Jr.

Joseph A. Langone Jr. (1896–1960) was a Massachusetts state senator from 1933 to 1940, and was Boston Election Commissioner in the 1940s.

Joseph A. Langone Jr.
Member of the Massachusetts Senate
from the 2nd Suffolk district
In office
1933–1940
Preceded byJohn P. Buckley
Succeeded byRobert L. Lee
Boston Election Commissioner
In office
1946–1947
Personal details
Born(1896-09-08)September 8, 1896
Boston, U.S.
DiedJune 9, 1960(1960-06-09) (aged 63)
Boston, U.S.
Cause of deathHeart attack
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Clementina Poto Langone
ChildrenLouise, Joseph, Madeline, Frederick, William, Rita
Residence190 North St., North End
Alma materThe English High School
OccupationUndertaker

Early life

Langone was born in Boston on September 8, 1896. He attended St. Mary's Parochial School, Warren Grammar School, and English High School.[1]

His father, Joseph A. (Giuseppe Antonio) Langone Sr., was an Italian immigrant from Marsico Nuovo, Potenza, who opened a successful funeral home in Boston and is credited with bringing the Order of the Sons of Italy in America to Massachusetts. In 1907, Langone Sr. was awarded a bronze medal by the Italian government for "notable progress in business and finance and society".[2] From 1923-24, he represented the Fifth Suffolk District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

As a first lieutenant in the Massachusetts State Guard, Langone Jr. led a company during the Boston Police Strike of 1919.[3][4] He followed in his father's footsteps and became an undertaker, eventually running the family funeral home in the North End. In 1927, the Langone funeral home handled the funeral of Sacco and Vanzetti, a historic event that drew thousands of mourners. According to the Boston Globe, it was "one of the most tremendous funerals of modern times."[5]

Political career

Langone and his wife were influential in Depression-era Boston politics. Langone was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate in 1932, narrowly defeating six Irish-American candidates, and ending years of Irish political domination in his district, which included East Boston, Charlestown, and the North, West, and South Ends.[6] He went on to serve four consecutive terms, and was Boston Election Commissioner in several James Michael Curley administrations.[7] Langone's wife "Tina" was also well known in the community. As a member of the Massachusetts Board of Immigration and Americanization, she helped countless local Italian immigrants assimilate and obtain U.S. citizenship.[8]

Known as a fiery-tempered defender of the "little man", Langone launched an investigation into Boston's welfare department, alleging it was withholding money from the needy, and in 1939 organized a march on City Hall to demand better services for the North End.[9] In his obituary he is described as a "strong lieutenant" of Curley, and a man who "did not mince words".[7] He once filed a bill intended to oust Boston Mayor Frederick Mansfield from office.[10]

In 1937, Langone ran for the United States House of Representatives seat in Massachusetts's 11th congressional district. Langone was seen as the favorite due to the district's large Italian population, however he finished third behind Thomas A. Flaherty and John F. Cotter. Flaherty's victory was seen as a swing towards Mayor Maurice J. Tobin and away from James Michael Curley, whose supporters backed Langone.[11]

Personal life

In 1920 he married Clementina Poto Langone. The couple had six children. One, Joseph A. Langone III, became a Massachusetts state representative. Another, Frederick C. Langone, was a Boston city councilor.

He died of a heart attack in Beth Israel Hospital on June 9, 1960.[7]

Awards and honors

In 1940, over 5,000 people attended a testimonial banquet at Boston Garden in honor of Langone and his wife. In attendance were Boston mayor Maurice J. Tobin, Congressman John F. Fitzgerald, Attorney General Paul A. Dever, former Massachusetts governors James Michael Curley and Charles F. Hurley, Springfield mayor Roger Lowell Putnam, Medford mayor John C. Carr, and other Democratic leaders. Mayor Tobin said it was the largest testimonial dinner ever held in Boston.[12][13]

The Health, Welfare and Education Service Center in Government Center was named the "Senator Joseph A. Langone Jr. Memorial Center" in his honor.[14]

Langone Park in the North End is named for Langone and his wife.[15]

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References
  1. Public officials of Massachusetts (1939-'40). Boston: Richard T. Howard. 1941. p. 61.
  2. "Bronze Medal for Italian in Boston". The Boston Globe. September 29, 1907.
  3. Langone, Fred (1994). The North End: Where It All Began. Boston: Post-Gazette, American Independence Edition. p. 21.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  4. "State Guard Troops Called Out: Roster of Infantry, Cavalry, Motor Corps and Ambulance Units Summoned For Boston Duty". The Boston Globe. September 11, 1919.
  5. "200,000 See Huge Parade: Force Used to Drive Back Line of Sacco-Vanzetti Marchers at Forest Hills". The Boston Globe. August 29, 1927.
  6. Whyte, William Foote (1939). "Race Conflicts in the North End of Boston". The New England Quarterly. 12 (4): 639. JSTOR 360446.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  7. "Ex-Sen. Langone Stricken in Back Bay, Dies at 62". The Boston Globe. June 10, 1960.
  8. "Mrs. Langone, Civic Leader, Dies at 67". The Boston Globe. April 21, 1964.
  9. Puleo, Stephen (2007). The Boston Italians: A Story of Pride, Perseverance, and Paesani, from the Years of the Great Immigration to the Present Day. Boston: Beacon Press. pp. 185–189. ISBN 9780807050361.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  10. James Michael Curley Scrapbook, Vol. 239. Internet Archive. 1935.
  11. Merrill, John D. (December 1, 1937). "Flaherty Nominee For Congress Seat". The Boston Daily Globe.
  12. "5000 at Dinner for Senator and Mrs. Langone". The Boston Globe. April 18, 1940.
  13. "6,210 at Testimonial Dinner for Langones". The Lewiston Daily Sun. April 18, 1940.
  14. Annual Report for the Fiscal Period June 28, 1970 - June 30, 1971. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Government Center Commission. 1971. p. 57.
  15. "200 attend dedication of N. End Park". The Boston Globe. September 14, 1975.
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