Hugh J. McMenamin
Hugh J. McMenamin | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 22nd district | |
| In office 1951–1962 | |
| Preceded by | Fraser P. Donlan |
| Succeeded by | Bob Casey Sr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 24, 1916 Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | January 13, 1978 (aged 61) Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) |
Ann Drobnis (m. 1941)Edith Noone Bialkowski
(m. 1977) |
| Children | 2 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1943-1946 |
| Rank | lieutenant junior grade |
| Unit | USS O'Neill |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Hugh Jennings McMenamin Sr. (September 24, 1916 – January 13, 1978) was an American politician of the Democratic Party who represented the 22nd district in the Pennsylvania Senate from 1951 to 1962.
Early life and military service
McMenamin was born on September 24, 1916 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Hugh Aloysious McMenamin, a dentist, and Kathryn R. McMenamin (née Jennings). McMenamin graduated from Central High School. He later attended Mercersburg Academy and Sheffield Scientific College of Yale University.[1] McMenamin graduated from Yale Law School in 1941.[2] He served as an FBI agent in Seattle, New York City,[1] and Washington, D.C.[3]
Joining the United State Navy in 1943,[1] McMenamin briefly toured in the North Atlantic on anti-submarine duty during World War II.[3] He then served on the USS O'Neill as a supply disbursement officer in the Pacific theatre, participating in the battles of Luzon, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.[3] He ended his military service as a lieutenant junior grade in 1946.[1]
Career
McMenamin passed the bar in 1947.[1] He was a member of the law firm of Henkelman, McMenamin, Kreder & O'Connell.[4]
Pennsylvania Senate
McMenamin was elected as a Democrat to represent the 22nd district in the Pennsylvania Senate from 1951.[1] In 1956, he was co-chairman of the Senate Investigating Committee.[5] He introduced bills that would increase pensions for firefighters and policemen.[6] He retired from the senate in 1962.[7][8]
Personal life and death
McMenamin married Ann Drobnis in 1941. They had two sons.[9][10] He later married Edith Noone Bialkowski in 1977.[11]
He was elected as state advocate to the Knights of Columbus in 1952.[12]
McMenamin died at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, Pennsylvania on January 13, 1978. He was buried in Cathedral Cemetery.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Hugh Jennings McMenamin Sr. - Pennsylvania State Library". www.library.pasen.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ^ "Personals". The Scranton Tribune. June 24, 1941. p. 8. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Hugh McMenamin, attorney, is dead". The Tribune. 1978-01-14. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-07-17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rites conducted for ex-senator". The Times-Tribune. 1978-01-16. p. 19. Retrieved 2025-07-17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Senators get closeup of Fairview conditions". The Tribune. 1956-02-25. pp. 12. Retrieved 2025-07-17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Check mark use on ballots asked in senate measure". The Evening News. 1959-05-28. p. 8. Retrieved 2025-07-17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dilworth will get OK, local politico predicts". The Times-Tribune. 1962-02-26. pp. 311. Retrieved 2025-07-17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "2 retirees of county are feted". The Times-Tribune. 1962-03-01. p. 11. Retrieved 2025-07-17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ann Drobnis McMenamin Reynolds dies at 100". The Times-Tribune. August 5, 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Son for McMenamins". The Times-Tribune. 1956-05-15. p. 27. Retrieved 2025-07-17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Edith Bialkowski weds Atty. Hugh McMenamin in ceremony in Miami". The Tribune. 1977-04-12. p. 8. Retrieved 2025-07-17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "K of C to receive state convention report Tuesday". Scrantonian Tribune. 1952-05-25. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-07-17 – via Newspapers.com.