Background
Addonizio, Hugh J. was born on January 31, 1914 in Newark, New Jersey, United States. Son of Frank and Livia (Barrasso) Addonizio.
United States representative politician
Addonizio, Hugh J. was born on January 31, 1914 in Newark, New Jersey, United States. Son of Frank and Livia (Barrasso) Addonizio.
Graduated from Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School, Newark, New Jersey, 1935. Bachelor of Science, Forham University, 1939. Student Officers Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia, 1942.
Doctor of Laws, Seton Hall University, 1966.
During World World War II he had served in the United States Army earning the Silver Star. He served in North Africa, Italy and France. Among the first Americans drafted in 1940 a year before Pearl Harbor, he rose from the rank of private and was discharged with the rank of captain and named to the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning.
He resigned his seat on June 30, 1962, to run for mayor of Newark.
He ran on a reform platform, defeating what he characterized as the corrupt political machine of Leo P. Carlin, who had been mayor since 1953. Addonizio served as mayor from 1962 until 1970 when he lost his reelection bid.
A state investigation into his administration on the heels of the 1967 riots, which occurred during his tenure, led to the discovery that Addonizio and other city officials were taking kickbacks from city contractors. Addonizio was prosecuted by the United States. Attorney" General’ s Office for the District of New Jersey and convicted of corruption after leaving office.
Much of the corruption became public when he was convicted, along with five others working in or through his administration, of "literally delivering the city into the hands of organized crime," according to former United States. District Judge Herbert J. Stern.
Addonizio was interred in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.
Member 81st-87th Congresses, 11th New Jersey District. Served with United States Army, 1942-1946. Member Veterans Foreign Wars, American Legion, Ninth Division Association New Jersey Conference Mayors (past president), North.A.A.C.P., New Jersey League Municipalities (trustee), Urban League.
Clubs: Lions, Unicontenational, Kiwanis, Frontiers International, Rotary.
Married Doris Goodheart, July 6, 1942. Children: Carol, Frank, Lois, James, Thomas, Joseph.