Samuel J. Tedesco

TEDESCO The Hon. Samuel J. Tedesco, age 88, of Piedmont, Calif., devoted husband of 61 years to Evelyn DeGruttola Tedesco, entered into the Kingdom of the Lord on Tuesday, August 5, 2003, following a prolonged illness. Born and raised in Bridgeport, he was the son of the late Joseph Tedesco and Elizabeth Gelormino Tedesco. A resident of Fairfield and Greenwich in his later years, Judge Tedesco retired from the State of Connecticut Judicial Department, where he had served as both Superior Court and Administrative Judge of Fairfield County. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1936, and received his law degree from Boston University in 1938. He began his career in private law practice in Bridgeport in 1939, and was elected to represent the Bridgeport area in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1940-1942. He joined the United States Army in 1943, and served in World War II, the European Theater in England, Belgium and France. Following his war service, he returned home to Bridgeport, continued to practice law, and was elected to the Connecticut Senate from 1949-1953, where he served as Minority Leader. At the city level in 1957, Judge Tedesco was elected Mayor of Bridgeport, the only candidate who was able to win that office from Mayor Jasper McLevy, who had served as Mayor for 24 years. During his term as Mayor of Bridgeport, he was also elected as Lieutenant Governor, serving under Gov. John Dempsey from 1962-1965. Following his service at the state level, he was appointed as Judge of the Superior Court and Administrative Judge in Fairfield County and served the court from 1967 to 1980 when he retired. Judge Tedesco spent the last 14 years of his life in Piedmont, Calif., where he enjoyed his years traveling and enjoying his family. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Survivors, in addition to his beloved wife, Evelyn, include his son, Joseph, of Piedmont; his sister, Sally Monaco of Trumbull; his brother, Louis Tedesco of Bridgeport; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Elizabeth Aurelio. A private funeral service with full military and state honors will be held TODAY, August 14, 2003, at Holy Rosary Church with interment in St. Michael s Cemetery, Stratford. Funeral services have been arranged by the Commerce Hill Funeral Home, 4798 Main Street, Bridgeport (on the Trumbull line). Gov. John G. Rowland has ordered the lowering of the Connecticut state flag on all public buildings from dawn to dusk TODAY, August 14, 2003, in honor of Samuel J. Tedesco.