Honorable John Ottaviano

CHESHIRE- The Honorable John Ottaviano, Jr., 93, died Sunday, May 1, 2011. He was the husband of Olga L. Ottaviano.

Judge Ottaviano was born in New Haven, CT on October 2, 1917 to the late Giovanni and Maria Luigia Bosia Ottaviano. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Italian Studies from Yale University in 1938. In 1941 he received his Bachelor of Laws degree from Harvard University, School of Law.

Judge Ottaviano served in the United States Army during World War II, attaining the rank of Captain, Adjutant General's Department. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Plaque. Subsequently, he was appointed a Colonel on the governor's military staff.

In 1953 Judge Ottaviano was appointed to serve as Assistant to the Legislative Commissioner, Elmer Ryan, of the State General Assembly. In 1954 Judge Ottaviano was elected Treasurer of the State of Connecticut, a position he held for four years.

Judge Ottaviano was admitted to the bar of the State of Connecticut in July, 1941. During the 1940's and 1950's he taught business law courses at the Junior College of Commerce, a predecessor to Quinnipiac University. During his many years of general law practice Judge Ottaviano shared office space with the late Senator Anthony S. Avallone, among others. In 1969 Judge Ottaviano was appointed a judge of the state Circuit Court; where he remained until 1975 when he was appointed a judge of the state Court of Common Pleas; where he remained until 1978 when he was appointed a judge of the state Superior Court. Judge Ottaviano served as a judge of the state of Connecticut for 41 years, retiring in 2010.

Judge Ottaviano actively participated in several national fraternal and religious organizations. He was a longstanding member of the Rodrigo Council #44, Knights of Columbus; and John Barry General Assembly, 4th degree Knights of Columbus. He was appointed and served four years as the Master of the 4th degree Knights of Columbus over the Southern District of Connecticut.

In 1933 Judge Ottaviano joined the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), the largest fraternal organization in America of people of Italian descent. From 1961 to 1965 he was elected Supreme Venerable (National President and Chief Executive Officer) of the Order Sons of Italy in America. Through his work as Supreme Venerable he testified before Congress, and was instrumental in the establishment of Columbus Day as a national holiday. The President of Italy awarded him two metals: the Star of Solidarity, and the Order of Merit. Due to his love of and fluency in the Italian Language, Judge Ottaviano spent many years as a volunteer teacher of Italian classes held at St. Anthony's Church in New Haven, and later at the Church of the Epiphany in Cheshire. For many years he was active as a church lector and religious group leader, first at St. Brendan's Church in New Haven, and later at the Church of the Epiphany.

Judge Ottaviano had been an avid bowler since he was a young teenager. He bowled in several duckpin and ten pin bowling leagues in New Haven, Woodbridge, Wallingford, and Hamden. He won several bowling awards and trophies.

Judge Ottaviano is survived by his wife Olga L. Ottaviano, his daughter Attorney Carla Ottaviano of Hamden; a son Gerard and his wife Andrea Randi Ottaviano, and their daughters Marina and Gianna of Westford, MA; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Deanna and Donald Clark of Westfield, MA; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Judge Ottaviano was predeceased by his sister Corinne Ottaviano Martino, and his brother Dario Ottaviano.

Arrangements- Funeral services for Judge Ottaviano will be held Friday, May 6, 2011 9 A.M from the Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main Street, 06410 to the Church of the Epiphany, 1750 Huckins Road, Cheshire, 06410 for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. Burial will full military honors will be held in St. Bridget Cemetery, Higgins Rd, Cheshire, 06410. Calling hours will be held Thursday May 5, 2011 from 4 to 6 P.M., and from 7 to 9 P.M. Donations in Judge Ottaviano's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. During the 1960's Judge Ottaviano had been a chairman of the New Haven County Cancer Committee.