Dominic H. Frinzi, 86, Milwaukee lawyer helped appropriate the name Atlanta Braves, represented Ed Gein & crime boss Frank P. Balistrieri
Hoodude
busy city street located several blocks away from my grade school
friend's house and was also a customer on my friend's paper route.
A few times while helping my friend either deliver newspapers or collect
from his customers, we would be near Frinzi's house and see his young
son pissing on a tree that grew in the lawn located between the sidewalk
and street. My fried and I thought it was hilarious to see the young kid
arcing out a stream as dozens of cars passed by and while drivers and
passengers also caught the sight.
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Frinzi led Italian Community Center
Opera-loving lawyer ran twice for governor
By AMY RABIDEAU SILVERS
Feb. 1, 2008
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=713497
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/feb08/frinzi_020108_big.jpg
Dominic Frinzi
Dominic H. Frinzi was a man who loved both opera and the law - and who
thought nothing of bursting into song while waiting for a verdict at the
Milwaukee County Courthouse.
William Janz, a former columnist with the Journal Sentinel, told a piece
of that story.
With the news that one jury had returned, Frinzi punched his client in
the arm, Janz wrote.
"This is the last act of 'Lucia di Lammermoor,' " he declared. "Your
fate is decided."
Frinzi was, by all accounts, something of a colorful character. Best
known in recent decades as a leader in the local Italian community, he
was also a man who twice ran for governor. He was part of a little cadre
that legally appropriated the name Atlanta Braves, so the departing team
could not use the name in Wisconsin. He loved the sport of harness horse
racing. His legal clients included the infamous Ed Gein.
Frinzi died of heart problems Monday. He was 86.
He grew up in Milwaukee's Third Ward, where his dad ran a butcher shop.
He studied to become a priest but left before taking vows.
"My brother and I, we were the first generation in 400 years that didn't
go into the meat business," Frinzi said in another story. "My father
insisted we have school, and that's why none of us became butchers."
Nor did he become a doctor.
"My father taught me how to butcher, and I was pretty good with a knife.
He thought I'd make a terrific doctor," Frinzi said. "But I couldn't
afford medical school, so I became a lawyer."
He ended up representing both high-profile clients and countless unknown
ones.
Frinzi was first appointed to represent accused serial killer Gein for a
competency hearing. Ten years later, he represented him at trial, and
Gein was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
In the 1960s, Frinzi represented Frank P. Balistrieri, years later
convicted as a local organized crime boss, then facing tax evasion
charges. The case continued to make headlines after Frinzi found illegal
wiretaps in his law office.
"It was a break-in before Watergate," said son Joseph, explaining that
the illegal wiretapping violated the attorney-client privilege in both
the Balistrieri case and for other clients.
"My dad sued the FBI and the phone company - and won a settlement," said
his son, now with the Milwaukee County family court commissioner's office.
Frinzi worked mainly as a criminal defense attorney, believing that
doing so helped to uphold the highest principles of the U.S.
Constitution, said friend and fellow attorney Henry Piano.
"He believed in pro bono work," Piano said.
"He represented a lot of people who could not afford an attorney,"
Joseph Frinzi said. "He always fought for the little guy."
Election bids included runs for governor in 1964 and 1966. A Democrat,
he didn't get the nomination in either year.
Last year, Frinzi was elected to a record seventh term as president for
the Italian Community Center, also serving as chairman of the Festa
Italiana board. He was long the reigning star of the festival's "Golden
Age of Opera" tent.
"I have three batons at home, and I conduct and sing at the same time,"
Frinzi said of opera. "It takes you to another world. It's a joy that
never ends."
A board member with the Florentine Opera Company and the Marcus Center
for the Performing Arts, he once appeared in a production of Verdi's "La
Traviata" at the Marcus Center. Cast in the role of a servant, he
delivered his single line with gusto.
"He told us he got a bigger ovation than some of the opera stars," his
son said with a laugh.
For his roles in the Italian community here, the government of Italy
awarded Frinzi the rare title of Cavaliere all'Ordine del Merito della
Repubblica Italiana, or a Knight of the Order of Merit.
"He was a legitimate character," said Piano, who, with Frinzi's death,
will again serve as ICC president. "He didn't beat to anybody else's
drum. He spoke out on issues that were important. He wasn't afraid of
controversy. And he always spoke from the bottom of his heart."
Other survivors include sons James and Dominic Jr., sister Norma Angeli,
brother Romeo, his former wife, Jane, and grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Schmidt & Bartelt
Guardalabene & Amato Funeral Home, 10121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa.
Visitation will continue from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Tuesday at Gesu
Church, 1145 W. Wisconsin Ave. The funeral service will follow at noon.
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Lincoln money shot
Hoodude
http://www.legacy.com/JSOnline/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=102293078
Dominic was a practicing attorney for 60 years, a court commissioner for
the Honorable Bonnie Gordon, President of the Italian Community Center,
President of the International Harness Horsemen's Association, was
knighted a Cavaliere by the Italian government, member of the Board of
Directors of the Florentine Opera Company, a 1997 inductee of the
International Harness Horsemen Association Hall of Fame in Goshen, NY,
past President of UNICO National, past President of the Illinois Harness
Horsemen's Association, and past President of the National Italian
American Bar Association. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dominic's
name may be directed to the Italian Community Center or the Florentine
Opera Company.
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Lincoln money shot