Mayor of Norwich (1928-1932)
Lee Roy Robbins (b.1886-d.1973)
Lee R. Robbins served Norwich as a Mayor, a State Senator, and a lawyer. He graduated from the Yale Law School in 1909, and subsequently represented Norwich in the State Senate both in 1925 and in 1933.
Prohibition of alcohol in the United States lasted from 1920 thru 1933; during the heart of Lee R. Robbins’ term as Mayor. Due to the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution there was a ban on the production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages during this period. He, along with 33 other Connecticut Senators, ratified the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution, which repealed the 18th Amendment. Lee R. Robbins was one of many who help put an end to Prohibition!
However, apparently, he was not an extremely liberal leader. The 07/12/1928 issue of the New Britain Herald states :
“Two-piece bathing suits worn in public places and upon the streets of Norwich are not to the liking of Leroy Robbins. To his way of thinking, they belong on the beach.”
“Through the police committee the mayor has given orders that the police shall not permit young women to wander about the city in two-piece suits of very abbreviated length, attractive in color to the eye as they may be. Chief G. H. Linton will carry out his orders.”
“While Norwich has no bathing beaches, the pseudo bathing girls belong in various camps in the outskirts of the city, parties of them come into the business section without stopping in camp to change their negligee attire.”
He is buried in Maplewood Cemetery.
Acknowledgements
New Britain Herald (07/12/1928)
Connecticut State Library
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Robbins” in the SEARCH box.
Mayor of Norwich (1932-1938)
Edward G. Moran (b.1903-d.1981)
Edward G. Moran began his commitment to public service at the young age. While at Dartmouth College, at the age of 19, he was one of the promoters and a member of the Dartmouth Newman Club. This organization was created at Dartmouth College, while he was there, for those who desired to learn the Catholic viewpoint on matters of history and important questions of the day.
In 1934 Mayor Moran presided at the opening ceremonies for Norwich’s celebration of 275th Anniversary of the Town of Norwich and the 150th Anniversary of the City of Norwich. In 1948, Mr. Moran was a member of the Norwich Rotary Club committee that organized Norwich’s Rose Garden Dedication.
Mr. Moran was a lawyer and a judge. In 1936, 1945, and 1951 he was a member of the Connecticut Governor’s Committee on Street and Highway Safety. In 1944, he was a Probate Judge, and in 1945-1946 he was a Commissioner of the New London County Superior Court. He is also listed as a Notary Public in the 1945-1946 Connecticut State Register and Manual.
Edward G. Moran is buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery, along with his wife Mary McGibney Moran. Their children were: Charles Moran, Edward G. Moran Jr., Sheila Moran and Mary Moran Murphy.
Acknowledgements
Norwich Bulletin (01/30/1922)
The Muse Newsletter, Summer 2008, by Vivian Zoë
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The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Moran” in the SEARCH box.
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Mayor of Norwich (1938-1940)
Anthony Wayne O’Connell (b.1907-d.1988)
Anthony Wayne O’Connell was elected as the mayor of Norwich on June 6, 1938. He served the town from July 1938 thru June 1940. Prior to serving as Mayor, he served as a Connecticut State Senator from 1934-1935.
The details of his mayoral election were extraordinary. The incumbent, Edward G. Moran, a Democrat who had served as mayor for the previous three 2-year terms was popular at both the local and state level. Moran, and most of the established Democrat party, expected to win the mayoral election for the fourth time. The state’s Democrat leadership was considering Moran to be their the candidate for the Connecticut’s Lieutenant Governor in the next election.
However, Connecticut’s Democrat Party was in disarray in early June 1938. Anthony Wayne O’Connell, also a Democrat, also wanted to run for Mayor. His name was listed on the ballot three times as a fusion, (Democrat, Independent, and Republican) candidate. He won the election by 718 votes.
O’Connell also a Norwich, local businessman. He owned and operated the Anthony Wayne O’Connell Insurance Company that sold insurance, real estate, and performed real estate appraisals. He performed many real estate appraisals for the State of Connecticut for the widening of Route 2 and establishing real estate for Interstate I-395 North.
Anthony Wayne O’Connell was admired for his good nature and ability to overcome severe difficulties. Throughout his adult life, he was forced to use crutches to walk. His right leg was paralyzed due to a childhood accident while sliding down a hill in Greenville. It never slowed him down. Mr. O’Connell drove his car by lifting the fabric of his pants leg to use the brake or gas pedals!
Unfortunately, his term as mayor was also filled with difficulty. Only three months into his term of service, the Hurricane of 1938 devastated Norwich. He was forced to declare martial law in Norwich to protect Norwich businesses during this tumultuous period.
Anthony Wayne O’Connell was married to Alice Jolie O’Connell (1911-1990). They had two children, Anthony O’Connell Jr. and Daniel Mark O’Connell. Anthony Wayne O’Connell and his wife are buried in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Laurene Shewan for her contributions to this placemark
“Moran Beaten by Wayne O’Connell”, 06/07/1938, The Waterbury Democrat
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The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “O’Connell” in the SEARCH box.
Mayor of Norwich (1940-1941)
William Joseph Fitzgerald (b.1887-d.1947)
Mayor William J. Fitzgerald served both Norwich, the State of Connecticut, and the United States. He authored the National Apprenticeship Act, now known as the Fitzgerald Act.
His education began at St. Patrick’s Parochial School in Norwich. At the age of 17 he began working in a foundry as a molder. He worked his way up to the position of superintendent during his 26 years of employment there.
These years of hands-on experience paved must have instilled a strong work ethic and sense of values within him. In 1916, he served on State Commission to investigate widows’ aid and subsequently in 1931-1936, he was the Connecticut Deputy State Commissioner of Labor.
In 1937, as a United States Representative to Congress, he authored the National Apprenticeship Act. The act was passed by Congress and signed into laws by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Source 1 states :“The measure established national certification standards for apprenticeship programs in manufacturing and other sectors that have opened pathways to high-quality jobs for the last 80 years. The Fitzgerald Act was the product of the real-life experience that Fitzgerald brought to Washington, having worked in a Connecticut foundry from an early age and later serving as an official in the Connecticut Department of Labor. “
Fitzgerald knew, even in an era of less complex technology, that connecting workers to a job required consistent, high-quality job training. That process begins in grade school, of course, but apprenticeship training is often the final step in achieving job readiness and positioning workers for success in their future careers.”
From 1943-1945, (during World War 2), he was the State Director of the War Manpower Commission of Connecticut. Upon completion of this office he became the State Director of the United States Employment Service, (1945-1947).
William J. Fitzgerald is buried, along with his wife, Kathryn Welch Fitzgerald in Saint Joseph Cemetery.
Acknowledgements
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Fitzgerald” in the SEARCH box.
Mayor of Norwich (1941-1944)
Richard L. Norman (b. ? -d. ? )
Bill Stanley took this photo of Richard Norman at the 1967 dedication ceremony of the Mohegan-Pequot Bridge. In 1967 the traffic on the Goldstar Bridge (New London/Groton) was extremely heavy and relief was needed.
The Mohegan-Pequot Bridge is a two-lane bridge crossing the Thames River at a height of 75 feet, located near present-day Mohegan Sun. It was first opened on December 1, 1967 to relieve the traffic burden on the Goldstar Bridge
He is listed in Source 1 as a Justice of the Peace, an Assistant Clerk and an Assistant Prosecutor.
Acknowledgements
“Connecticut State Register and Manual 1945-1946”, pp 334, 472
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Norman” in the SEARCH box.
Mayor of Norwich (1944-1948)
James J. Mullins (b.1908-d.1994)
Iconic Norwich needs your help.
James J. Mullins is identified in Source 1 and 2 as Mayor of Norwich from 1944-1948.
Acknowledgements
“World of Politics Just Not What It Used To Be”, By Bill Stanley, (08/29/2007)
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Mayor of Norwich (1948-1951) Richard J. Marks Jr. (b.1903-d.1977)
Dick Marks was the Mayor of Norwich from 1948 to 1951. A few days after he took office in 1948, he represented the City of Norwich at the original dedication of the Veteran’s Memorial Rose Garden. The Rose Garden was, and still is, a memorial to those who served and died in World War II.At the ceremony, held on July 11, 1948, the Norwich Rotary Club officially transferred the Rose Garden to the City of Norwich. After receiving the garden for the City, Mayor Marks was quoted in the Norwich Bulletin as saying: ”This garden is one of the most beautiful and restful spots in New England”.
He and his wife, Elizabeth Shannon Marks, had a son named Richard J. Marks III. The family is buried together in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Acknowledgements
“Forgotten Tale of the Norwich Rose Garden”, by Beryl Fishbone, (06/14/2014)
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“A Swift and Deadly Maelstrom : The Great Flood of 1963” (2013), by Thomas Moody
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Richard Marks” in the SEARCH box.