Francis Constant Florini (1919-2008)

Francis Constant Florini (September 7, 1919 – October 17, 2008) was an American politician who served as the twenty-sixth Mayor   of North Adams, Massachusetts.

Born in North Adams on Sept. 7, 1919, son of John B. and Mary A. Rosasco Florini, he graduated from Drury High School and received his agricultural management degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in May 1949

An Army veteran of World War II, he enlisted in 1942 and was assigned to the 1st Division (the Big Red One) as a staff sergeant. He served as a radio corpsman in the North Africa campaigns in Algeria, French Morocco and Tunisia. During the 1943 invasion of Sicily, he was severely wounded in both legs by shrapnel. He spent 2 1/2 years in rehabilitation at Framingham Hospital and was awarded the Purple Heart and Good Conduct medal, among his decorations and citations.

Mr. Florini worked on the family farm in his early years and at the family's popular restaurant Florini's Italian Garden.

While in North Adams, he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Chamber of Commerce, and served on the board of the YMCA.

Florini was the first mayor elected under North Adams' A Form of government, which made the executive position stronger. He oversaw a number of projects that changed the face of the city, including the start of urban renewal in the downtown. He was elected three times, serving from 1962 to 1967. He also was the city's acting postmaster until his election as mayor.

In 1968, he was appointed director of the Office of Central Services in the state Department of Community Affairs in Boston, working under Gov. John A. Volpe. He was re-elected to office in 1978 as an alderman for Ward 6 in Beverly.

Mr. Florini retired in 1981 and moved to East Boothbay, Maine, where he served on the town Water Board from 1985 through 1995.

While in East Boothbay, he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and was involved with the Railway Museum and Land Trust.

Former Mayor Francis Constant "Frank" Florini, died at the age of 89, on Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. He was a longtime civic leader, serving at the state and local level.

He made a difference to people in many communities and countless have been touched by his hard work and good will.