Joseph Margolis (politician)

Joseph H. Margolis (September 28, 1908 – December 29, 1970) was an American politician who served as mayor of Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1970.

Joseph Margolis
Mayor of Chelsea, Massachusetts
In office
January 5, 1970 – December 29, 1970
Preceded byJohn J. Slater Jr.
Succeeded byCharles W. DeIorio
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 23rd Suffolk district
In office
1941–1945
Preceded byJoseph A. Melley
Succeeded byPatrick F. Cronin
Personal details
Born(1908-09-28)September 28, 1908
Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedDecember 27, 1970(1970-12-27) (aged 62)
Everett, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic

Margolis was born on September 28, 1908, in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He attended Chelsea Public Schools and worked as a salesman outside of politics.[1] He began his political career in 1933 as an unsuccessful candidate for the Chelsea board of aldermen.[2] Two years later he won the ward 2 seat by 61 votes.[3] In 1940, Margolis was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[2] He left the house after two terms and enlisted in the United States Navy. He was a chief petty officer with the Seabees in World War II. After the war, Margolis served multiple terms on the Chelsea board of aldermen and was assistant sergeant-at-arms and doorkeeper of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[2][4] In 1943, 1959, and 1963, Margolis was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor.[5][6][7] In 1969, Margolis achieved his longtime ambition of becoming mayor of Chelsea. He was the city's first Jewish mayor. 358 days into his first term, Margolis died suddenly at Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett, Massachusetts. He was 62 years old.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ Public Officials of Massachusetts. Boston Review. 1941.
  2. ^ a b c d Donovan, Frank (December 30, 1970). "Joseph H. Margolis, Chelsea mayor, dies". The Boston Globe.
  3. ^ "Victory of Voke a Stunning One". The Boston Globe. November 13, 1935.
  4. ^ "Margolis to Seek Chelsea Mayoralty". The Boston Globe. April 5, 1959.
  5. ^ "Primaries Marked by Light Voting in Five Cities". The Boston Globe. October 14, 1943.
  6. ^ "Voke and Quigley Nominated In 66 Per Cent Chelsea Vote". The Boston Globe. September 23, 1959.
  7. ^ Connolly, Richard (November 6, 1963). "4 Mayors Beaten; 9 New Ones Named". The Boston Globe.