John Maiocco '50

The late John Maiocco was a Bridgeport native who excelled in sports as well as in the legal and political arenas.

Maiocco was senior class president at Prep as well as a three-year, two-sport standout in football (tailback) and basketball (guard), earning All-District honors in both sports. He led the Jesuits’ football team in scoring his junior and senior seasons, highlighted by a record five touchdowns against Ludlowe for Prep’s “Miracle Team” of 1949. It was the Jesuits’ first unbeaten season (7-0-1), with the only blemish a 6-6 tie against Thanksgiving Day rival Stamford. After that contest he was presented the game ball by Stamford coach Paul Kuczo.

Maiocco was also selected to Prep’s All-Decade Team (1942-1951) in football and basketball.

After being recruited by more than 20 colleges, he attended Georgetown, but never played football for the Hoyas because they dropped the program during spring practice. However, Maiocco graduated from there in 1954 and from UConn Law School in 1957. He then embarked on a long and distinguished legal and political career as a Superior Court judge, an Alderman for the City of Bridgeport, a Council President and a state representative.

Maiocco was honored by the Greater Bridgeport Oldtimers Athletic Association in 1993 with the Dutch Sherwood Memorial Award for athletic achievement as well as dedication to civic and community activities.

The judge served on the Board of Directors for many associations, including the Shehan Center, Bridgeport Boys & Girls Club, Knights of Columbus and the Italian Community Center. He was honored as “Man of the Year” by UNICO in 1975.

His younger brother Ken (Class of ’59), a physician and former Army major, was a two-way performer for Prep’s MBIAC football champs in 1957, while grandson Jonathan Gavern also graduated from Prep (Class of ’98).

Maiocco passed away in 2014.