Dominic J. Badolato, 91, of New Britain, entered into eternal life on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at his home. He was born in New Britain, a son of the late Nicholas and Angelina Badolato and attended local schools. He faithfully served his country during World War II in the United States Army.
Dominic was International Vice President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Executive Vice President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, and Executive Director/Treasurer of AFSCME Connecticut Council 4, with more than 33,000 members throughout the state, as one of Connecticut's most respected labor leaders. When war came to America in December of 1941, Dom entered the armed forces. Following his honorable discharge from the United States Army at the close of World War II, he became active in veterans and community affairs.
Dom studied Labor Relations at Harvard University, and graduated from the Harvard Trade Union Program.
In 1954, Dom was elected to the Connecticut General Assembly as a State Representative, where he was to serve his city and his constituents for the next 22 years.
Throughout his long career as a legislator, Dom held many positions of responsibility. He served on the Federal and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, the Public Utilities Committee, the Labor Committee, the Appropriations Committee, the Rules Committee, the Committee on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Incorporations Committee, the Elections Committee, the Legislative Council, and the Executive Nominations Committee. In his final term, he also served as an Assistant Majority Leader.
To each of these assignments, Dom brought wisdom, dedication, and a willingness to work, to do the necessary research to produce sound legislation that would not only serve the existing needs of Connecticut, but would also lead to future progress.
But the role in which Dom Badolato has had no peer is that of labor legislator. As a member, later Chairman of the Labor Committee, Dom Badolato won the admiration and respect of his colleagues and constituents alike. When the history of Connecticut workers in the last half of the twentieth century is written, the name of Dominic J. Badolato will lead all the rest.
SOME LABOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Under Dom's leadership, numerous laws were enacted improving safety conditions in the workplace, including the State Occupational Safety and Health Act for Public Employees; laws preventing discrimination against women, the aged, and preventing exploitation of mentally retarded employees; protection and improvement of working conditions for migratory farm workers; extension of collective bargaining rights to employees of charitable, educational, and medical facilities, and all public employees; inclusion of full time farm workers under unemployment Compensation; Heart and Hypertension protection for certain public employees; elimination of the lie detector test for public employment; the prevention of the use of professional strikebreakers; and improvements in the minimal wage, unemployment compensation, and workers' compensation.
EYE BANK: The establishment of the first eye bank in Connecticut, which was made possible as a result of a bill he introduced.
EDUCATION: The construction and expansion of the E.C. Goodwin Regional Technical School; the expansion of what is now Central Connecticut State University; and increases in educational grants-in-aid.
The AFSCME Years:
In 1961, at a time when the former AFSCME Council 4 jurisdiction stood at a mere 1500 members, and while still serving in the General Assembly, Dom became a Staff Representative for the AFSCME. Dom worked up through the ranks to become one of the outstanding members of what is now the largest public employee union in the United States. He was elected to the post of Executive Director in 1968, In 1970, Dom was elected an AFSCME International Vice President, a position he occupied with distinction.
Community Service:
Dom also served three terms as a member of New Britain's Board of Park Commissioners, and four terms as a member of the Charter revision Commission, which he chaired in 1972-73. He also served as a member of the Board of Police Commissioners, and a member of the regional Mattabassett District Commission, and a member of the Board of Directors of the 1995 Special Olympics World Games, to be held in New Haven.
At the State level, he was appointed by Governor Ribicoff to the Commission to Study State Housing Needs.
He was appointed by Governor Dempsey to the Committee to study Collective Bargaining for Municipal employees, and in 1966 served as chairman of the Legislative Council Committee to study the Conditions of State Jails. It was the latter Committee which brought in the first report calling for a major overhaul of the entire State penal system.
Dom was also appointed by Governor Grasso to the Occupational Safety and Health Revue Commission.
Representative Badolato also took good care of the best interests of New Britain. He introduced, and was successful in achieving passage of legislation which established a branch of the Motor Vehicle Department in New Britain by law, insuring its continuance in that city. He did the same for the State Labor Department office, as well as the Superior Court. These offices and Court cannot be removed from New Britain by executive or bureaucratic whim, thanks to the leadership of Dom Badolato.
In addition, Dom led the fight for the establishment of the Mattabassett District, and, when every segment of the community was in favor of a Route 72 location which he personally opposed, he still led the fight to obtain funds. He also wads responsible for the Berlin By-Pass, which permits Hungerford Park direct connection to Willow Brook Park, even though a highway intersects the land between them.
Other Associations:
A Roman Catholic and an active member of his parish, serving as an usher, Dom was also a Life Member of the Italian American War Veterans, Bernardino-Badolato Post No. 1 (named in part for his brother killed in action in WWII); a life member of the American Legion; the disabled American Veterans; the Order of the Sons of Italy; the Independent Political Club; a life member of Local 992, IAFF; and a member of the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut.
Dom has also served as a member of the Greater New Britain Labor Council, including two terms as its President; and numerous terms as a member of the Connecticut AFL-CIO's Executive Board, currently serving in the position of Executive Vice President.
Dominic served Connecticut and American citizens long and well; in war and peace; on the picket lines and in the halls of the legislature; in the board room and at the negotiating table. Wherever he has been called to serve, he has done it with skill, with honor, and with conscience.
Dominic was a faithful communicant of St. Ann’s Church. He leaves his beloved wife of 68 years, Gladys (Michaud) Badolato, whom he married October 10, 1942, his loving daughters Donna Campbell and her husband Robert, of Unionville and Joan Hanlon of Middletown, his treasured grandchildren Kristie Levine of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, DJ Bighinatti of Middletown and Jessica Boisvert and her husband Cory of Burlington, his precious great grandsons Jacob and Ethan and his loving daughter in law Peggy Badolato. Dom also leaves behind his brother Tony Badolato and his wife Catherine, his sister Connie Samuelian, and his sister-in-law Ursalina Badolato. He was predeceased by his son John Badolato and grandson Richard Patrick Hanlon.
He will be remembered not only for his many public achievements, but more so as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, who was dedicated to providing for and guiding his family. He cherished every moment he spent with them and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be Monday, September 26th at 9AM from the New Britain Memorial-Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Avenue, followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial in St. Ann’s Church at 10AM. Entombment will follow in St. Mary’s Garden Mausoleum. Visiting hours are Sunday September 25th, from 2-6PM.
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