Some 40 years ago, Art DeSorbo was a young Fair Havener battling Martin Looney at the polls. DeSorbo won — and launched his career as a young Republican politician who would rise to be a top aide to East Haven’s mayor.
DeSorbo, who died July 13 at the age of 61, is best known for the 20 years he spent in East Haven government as economic development director and director of administration and management.
DeSorbo would often remind New Haven politicians of a lesser-known chapter of his political career: He defeated Democrat Looney, who’s now the majority leader in the state Senate, in an aldermanic race in 1975. DeSorbo and Looney were both in their early-to-mid 20s back then, Looney recalled. DeSorbo grew up on Fair Haven’s Wolcott Street, back when that area was heavily Italian.
That year, Republican John Esposito was running for mayor against Frank Logue. DeSorbo was part of a team of Republican candidates who supported Esposito. Republicans lost the mayor’s race — but won significant power on the legislative board. Looney, who was making his first run for public office, won a Democratic primary for the Ward 9 seat (which most closely resembles current-day Ward 16) in Fair Haven. Then DeSorbo beat him by 200 votes, Looney recalled.
“We campaigned energetically,” Looney said.
DeSorbo was one of nine Republicans who won election to the Board of Alders that year — a record for the party that now has zero members on the board. As a first-term alder, DeSorbo became minority leader, Looney recalled. DeSorbo won reelection in 1977, then decided not to seek a third term. He moved to East Haven instead.
Though they were on opposite sides of the aisle, “Art and I had always had a cordial relationship over the years,” Looney said. DeSorbo worked in East Haven government right up until his death. “He was a very good guy. Very hard-working. Very devoted to public service both in New Haven and East Haven.”
DeSorbo’s funeral took place last week. His full obituary follows:
Arthur DeSorbo, 61, of East Haven, died unexpectedly at Yale New Haven Hospital on July 13, 2014 surrounded by the love of family and friends. Art was born in New Haven, on October 2, 1952, to the late Louis and Olga DeSorbo. Art served as an Alderman on the New Haven Board of Alderman and was a long time member of the Republican State Central Committee. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and the East Haven Rotary International. Art had an honorable devotion and passion for both his family and the politics in the Town of East Haven. In addition, he served on various board and committees in his town. He was loved by many friends and family. Art was the beloved husband of Ann DeSorbo. He was survived by his brother, Louis (Sandy) DeSorbo, his brother in law Peter (Carrie) Gaetano, sister in law Andrea (Eric) Polinsky, brother in law Rich (Maggie) Pittala, and mother in law Ann Gaetano. He was predeceased by his father in law Ralph Gaetano and sister in law Etta Pittala. He was the beloved uncle of Gina DeSorbo, Danielle Pittala, and Matthew Polinsky.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Art’s name to the Clothe The Children Fund of the East Haven Rotary C/O Carl Ruggiero, 12 Oak Hill Ln. East Haven, 06512 or the East Haven Animal Shelter C/O East Haven Town Hall, 250 Main St. East Haven, 06512.
