Frank J. Esposito | |
|---|---|
| 37th Mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut | |
| In office 1983–1987 | |
| Preceded by | William A. Collins |
| Succeeded by | Alex Knopp |
| Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives | |
| In office 1980–1987 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 24, 1928 Bronx, New York, New York |
| Died | January 9, 2013 (aged 84) Norwalk, Connecticut |
| Political party | Republican 7 terms |
| Spouse | Louise Stroffolino |
| Residence(s) | Norwalk, Connecticut |
Frank J. Esposito (b. March 24, 1928[1], Bronx, New York[2] -- d. Norwalk, January 9, 2013) was the mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut for seven terms, from 1987 to 2001, the longest serving mayor in the city's history.[3] He also served four terms from 1980 to 1987 in the Connecticut House of Representatives, including as Assistant Majority Leader and Minority Leader.[3]
He was born in Bronx, New York, the fourth of five children of Frank R. Esposito and Mary Zecola Esposito. He moved to Norwalk with his family at age 12. He graduated from Norwalk High School in 1946 where he was an accomplished football player.[2] He was married to Louise Stroffolino, the niece of State Senator Stanley Stroffolino on January 27, 1951.[1][2] He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a Sgt. 1st class.[3] He learned about radio and television engineering at the RCA Institute in New York. He worked for a time at the DuMont Television Network.[2] He owned a grocery store and delicatessen in Norwalk for over 25 years.[3]
Esposito began his political career in 1970, as an appointed member of the Norwalk Housing Authority. He then was elected to two terms on Norwalk's Common Council. He served four terms from 1980 to 1987 in the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing Connecticut's 137th House District, including as Assistant Majority Leader and Minority Leader. In 1987, Esposito resigned from the legislature to run for mayor of Norwalk.[3][1]
Esposito's seven terms from 1987 to 2001 was the longest mayoral administration in the city's history. His accomplishments as mayor included building a parking garage for rail commuters, raising the city's bond rating to the top AAA, leading the effort for a $50 million upgrade to Norwalk's sewage treatment plant, moving the Department of Public Work's garage from Matthews Park to make room for a children's museum and playground, designating a new site for the Norwalk Police Department, closing the conspicuously visible city dump, and supporting the creation of The Maritime Aquarium at a time when it wasn't that popular.[4]
He died on January 9, 2013 of cancer, and he is buried at St. John's Cemetery in Norwalk.[1]