Michael Favulli

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Michael Favulli
Member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council from the 7th District
In office
1957–1963
Preceded byGeorge A. Wells
Succeeded byWalt Kelly
Personal details
BornMay 8, 1908
Worcester, Massachusetts
DiedSeptember 4, 1990 (aged 82)
Falmouth, Massachusetts
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materCollege of the Holy Cross
Clark University

Michael Joseph Favulli (1908–1990) was an American athlete, educator, and politician who served on the Worcester, Massachusetts city council from 1954 to 1960 and the Massachusetts Governor's Council from 1957 to 1963. He was convicted of bribery in 1965.

Athletics[edit]

Favulli was born on May 8, 1908, in Worcester, Massachusetts. After graduating from St. John's Preparatory School, Favulli attended the College of the Holy Cross, where he was a member of the Holy Cross Crusaders football team. He took over the starting center role his sophomore season, but also saw snaps at right tackle due to injuries.[1] Favulli missed the entire 1931 season due to a knee injury. He reinjured the knee in the October 15, 1932, game against Detroit, ending his football career.[2]

On November 28, 1932, Favulli announced he would become a professional boxer. He was managed Cecil P. Dodge, former co-manager of Lou Brouillard.[3] He made his pro debut on December 9, 1932, in Worcester. In the fight, he knocked out Jimmy Sheldon in 42 seconds.[4] On February 10, 1933, he knocked out Eddie Callahan.[5]

Coaching[edit]

Favulli coached at Millbury High School, taught and coached at the Grafton Street Junior High School, and coached football, basketball and baseball at the Worcester Academy.[6] In 1946 he served as the junior varsity football coach at Holy Cross.[7] In 1947 he promoted boxing at the Worcester Memorial Auditorium.[8]

Politics[edit]

In 1953, Favulli was elected to the Worcester City Council. He remained on the council until he was defeated for reelection in 1959. In 1956, Favulli was elected to represent the 7th District on the Massachusetts Governor's Council.[6] He was beat by funeral home director Walt Kelly in the 1962 Democratic primary, ending his enture on the council.[9] Following his defeat, Favulli became a special representative to the Massachusetts Commerce Department.[10]

Bribery trials[edit]

On May 7, 1964, Favulli was indicted on bribery charges for allegedly soliciting and receiving a bribe from a man with a criminal record seeking a pardon.[11] On December 10, 1964, he was found not guilty.[12]

On October 13, 1964, Favulli was one of four councilors indicted for soliciting and accepting bribes from Governor Foster Furcolo in exchange for voting in favor of the reappointment of state public works commissioner Anthony N. DiNatale.[13] On September 28, 1965, Favulli, Joseph Ray Crimmins, Raymond F. Sullivan, and Ernest C. Stasiun were found guilty of conspiracy and requesting bribes in connection with DiNatale's reappointment.[14] He was sentenced to two years in jail. On March 14, 1967, Favulli was ordered to jail by Judge Eugene A. Hudson after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld his conviction.[15] He was released on parole on September 21, 1967.[16]

Later life and death[edit]

In 1972, Favulli moved to Falmouth, Massachusetts. His wife, Elizabeth C. (Nuzzo) Favulli, died in 1989. On September 4, 1990, Favulli died in Falmouth Hospital. He was survived by two sons and a daughter.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Mike Favulli Goes to Right Tackle". The Boston Daily Globe. November 25, 1930.
  2. ^ "Holy Cross Center is Lost for Season". The Boston Daily Globe. October 18, 1932.
  3. ^ "Favulli of Holy Cross to Become Pro Boxer". The Boston Daily Globe. November 29, 1932.
  4. ^ "Favulli Knocks Out Sheldon in 42 Seconds". The Boston Daily Globe. December 10, 1932.
  5. ^ "Favulli Stops Callahan, Devine Shades Emil Rossi". The Boston Daily Globe. February 10, 1933.
  6. ^ a b c "Ex-Councilor Michael Favulli, 83". Telegram & Gazette. September 5, 1990.
  7. ^ "Holy Cross Squad Has 36 Letter Men at Initial Drill". The Boston Daily Globe. September 4, 1946.
  8. ^ "Hayes to Meet Terranova". The Boston Daily Globe. December 5, 1947.
  9. ^ "Worcester's Walt Kelly Busy After Upset Win". The Boston Globe. September 20, 1960.
  10. ^ "Costello, Favulli Pay-Hike Jobs Ruled Illegal". The Boston Globe. March 15, 1963.
  11. ^ Connolly, Richard (May 8, 1964). "Indictment Hits Council Third Time". The Boston Globe.
  12. ^ Mahoney, Frank (December 11, 1964). "Jury Acquits Favulli". The Boston Globe.
  13. ^ "Furcolo, Former Governor, Indicted In Massachusetts: He and 4 Other Politicians Charged With Conspiring To Arrange for a Bribe". The Wall Street Journal. October 14, 1964.
  14. ^ Negri, Gloria (September 29, 1965). "4 Councilors Guilty of Bribes, Conspiracy". The Boston Globe.
  15. ^ "Ex-Councilors Ordered to Jail". The Boston Globe. March 15, 1967.
  16. ^ "Favulli Will Get Freedom Thursday". The Boston Globe. September 16, 1967.
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