Representative Don A. Petrucelli View All Years

DON A. PETRUCCELLI

Mr. Speaker: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character, and public service of the late Honorable Don A. Petruccelli begs to submit the following Memorial:

Don A. Petruccelli was born March 1, 1913, son of Vincent and Amelia Petruccelli. He attended public schools in Davenport and graduated from St. Ambrose College in Davenport and law school at the University of South Dakota. He set up a private practice in Davenport but soon after was drafted into the Army. Petruccelli, who spoke fluent Italian, ended up as an espionage agent during World War II, working in Italy for the Office of Strategic Services, and attained the rank of Major. He worked at the State Department in Washington in 1946 before his discharge. After the war, he went back to Davenport and resumed his law practice.

Mr. Petruccelli served as mayor of Davenport, worked as an assistant Scott County attorney before winning a municipal judgeship in 1971. From 1971 until 1985 he served as a full-time judge in charge of all juvenile matters in Scott County. From 1985 until 1991 he served as a senior judge. He considered his work as a juvenile court judge the most important contribution made in his public career. He believed that the juvenile court system allowed him, the probation department, and the lawyers who appeared in court to make positive differences in the lives of those children whose circumstances or conduct mandated public intervention and attention.

He married Carol Selitto on October 7, 1945, in South Orange, New Jersey. She preceded him in death on May 19, 1977. He later married Edna Palmisano on December 17, 1982. She preceded him in death in July, 1990.

A Republican, Mr. Petruccelli was a member of the Fifty-sixth and Fifty-seventh General Assemblies.

Don A. Petruccelli passed away January 8, 2003, at the age of 89.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Eighty-first General Assembly of Iowa, That in the passing of the Honorable Don A. Petruccelli, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House by this Resolution would express its appreciation of his service.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

JAMIE VAN FOSSEN

JOE HUTTER

JIM LYKAM

Committee