Mario Merola (lawyer)
| Mario Merola | |
|---|---|
Mario Merola in an NBC interview
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| Bronx County District Attorney | |
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In office January 1, 1972 – October 27, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Burton B. Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Paul T. Gentile |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
February 1, 1922 Woodlawn, The Bronx, New York City |
| Died | October 27, 1987 (aged 65) The Bronx, New York City |
| Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery, The Bronx |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Tullia Palermo |
| Children | Michael, Elizabeth, and Marilou |
| Alma mater | New York University |
Mario Merola (February 1, 1922 – October 27, 1987) was a New York City Councilman from 1964 to 1971 and the District Attorney of Bronx County, New York from 1972 to 1987.
Merola was born on February 1, 1922 to Italian immigrants in the Woodlawn neighborhood of the Bronx. His father was a barber, while his mother was a garment industry worker. Merola went to public schools in the Bronx and graduated from New York University, where he played halfback on the college football team. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1941 and became a combat navigator, flying a total of 55 missions into territory under occupation by Nazis in Europe. He eventually returned to New York and obtained his law degree from the New York University School of Law in 1948.
Merola's career in public service began in 1957, when he began working as an attorney for the New York City Department of Investigation. In May 1960, he was hired as an assistant district attorney for the Bronx County District Attorney's office, and prosecuted cases there until 1964.
He was elected as a Democrat to the New York City Council in November 1963, and was re-elected two times, representing the Bronx from January 1964 to December 1972.
Merola was first elected Bronx County District Attorney in November 1971, and was re-elected three times, serving a total of 15 years until his death in October 1987. Merola had a reputation for political independence and outspokenness during his time as District Attorney. Merola was also able to attract bipartisan support during his election campaigns; he received the endorsement of both the Republican Party and the Liberal Party during his final campaign for re-election before he died.
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