Joseph D. Early
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 3rd district
In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by	Harold Donohue
Succeeded by	Peter I. Blute
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office 1963–1974
Personal details
Born	Joseph Daniel Early January 31, 1933 Worcester, Massachusetts
Died	November 9, 2012(2012-11-09) (aged 79) Worcester, Massachusetts
Resting place	Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester, Massachusetts
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Marilyn Powers Early
Residence(s)	Worcester, MA
Alma mater	College of the Holy Cross (BS)
Profession	teacher
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1955–1957

Joseph Daniel Early (January 31, 1933 – November 9, 2012) was an American politician. He represented the third district of Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1993.

Early life

Early was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on January 31, 1933. He attended St. John's High School, and received a B.S. degree from College of the Holy Cross, graduating in 1955. He served in United States Navy, 1955–1957. Following his time in the Navy he was employed as a high school teacher and basketball coach in Shrewsbury and Spencer.

Political career

Early served six terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1963 to 1974. He was a delegate to Massachusetts State Democratic conventions from 1964 to 1970, and was elected as a Democrat to the 94th and to the eight succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1993). He lost re-election in 1992 to Republican Peter I. Blute, in the aftermath of his implication in the House banking scandal and a nepotism scandal involving his brother George's employment in the Congressional Folding Room.^[1] During his time in congress Early was regarded as one of the most "obscure" house representatives, neglecting to hold a press conference untill 1990 and never hiring a press secretary. ^[2] He died on November 9, 2012.^[3] His son, Joseph Early, Jr. today serves as the Worcester County District Attorney.