Judge Samuel Tedesco Dies

BRIDGEPORT (AP) –– Gov John G. Rowland ordered the lowering of the Connecticut state flag on all public buildings Thursday, August 14, in honor of Samuel J. Tedesco, a Bridgeport Democrat who served as city mayor, lieutenant governor, and a state Superior Court judge, who died at the age of 88.

Judge Tedesco, who had struggled with cancer, died August 5 in Berkley, Calif., after suffering from pneumonia. He and his wife had been living in California since 1989.

A native of Bridgeport, Judge Tedesco became mayor in 1957 . He served four two-year terms, from 1957 to 1965, and led a renewal effort in the city’s downtown and West End.

Judge Tedesco served as the state’s lieutenant governor from 1962 to 1966, when it was a part-time position. Before that, he served in the state Senate from 1949 until 1953, working as the Senate minority leader during the final two years. In 1966 he was appointed a Superior Court judge and served until his retirement in 1980.