Foster Furcolo
| Foster Furcolo | |
|---|---|
Furcolo as Governor, 1958
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| 60th Governor of Massachusetts | |
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In office January 3, 1957 – January 5, 1961 |
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| Lieutenant | Robert F. Murphy |
| Preceded by | Christian Herter |
| Succeeded by | John A. Volpe |
| Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts | |
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In office July 5, 1952 – January 1955 |
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| Preceded by | John E. Hurley |
| Succeeded by | John Francis Kennedy |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 2nd district |
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In office January 3, 1949 – September 30, 1952 |
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| Preceded by | Charles R. Clason |
| Succeeded by | Edward Boland |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 29, 1911 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | July 5, 1995 (aged 83) Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater |
Yale University Yale Law School |
| Profession | Lawyer |
John Foster Furcolo (July 29, 1911 – July 5, 1995) was a lawyer, writer, and Democratic Party politician from Massachusetts. He was the state's 60th governor, and also represented the state as a member of the United States House of Representatives. He was the first Italian-American governor of the state, and an active promoter of community colleges.
Born in New Haven, Connecticut and educated at Yale, Furcolo practiced law before serving in the United States Navy during World War II. He first won election to Congress in 1948, and served most of two terms, resigning after being appointed Massachusetts Treasurer in 1952 by Governor Paul A. Dever. He won two terms as governor, serving from 1957 to 1961. In addition to supporting community colleges, he also furthered the redevelopment of parts of Boston, supporting development of the Prudential Center and Government Center. His administration was overshadowed by corruption scandals, but no charges against him made it to trial. He was twice an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate. He was the author of several books, including a novel set amid events surrounding the World War II Katyn massacre.
John Foster Furcolo was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on July 29, 1911. His father, Charles Furcolo, was an Italian immigrant and a doctor, and his mother was an Irish immigrant. Furcolo attended public schools in Longmeadow, Massachusetts and New Haven. He then attended Yale University, where he graduated in 1933, and finally Yale Law School, where he received his LL.B. in 1936. At Yale he played a variety of sports, serving on both the boxing team (as a welterweight) and the baseball team. According to his brother Charles, he played second base. He was undefeated as a boxer and was encouraged to turn professional, but chose not to. He also engaged in literary pursuits, writing short stories and plays that were produced locally. Furcolo dropped use of his first name when he entered politics.
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