Biography

07/03/1926 - 02/07/2015

Joseph Matthew Gaydos, Sr. (D45) Allegheny (Part) County 1967-1968

Early Life:

Joseph Matthew Gaydos, Sr., born July 3, 1926, Braddock, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; son of Joann (John) Gajdosh (Gaydos)  and Elona Magella Gaydos; Pacific theater, United States Navy Reserves, World War 1, 1944-1946; Duquesne University, 1945-1947; University of Notre Dame Law School, LL.B., 1951; lawyer, private practice; admitted to the bar, 1952, commenced practice, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; deputy attorney general, Pennsylvania; assistant solicitor, Allegheny County; general counsel, United Mine Workers of America, district five; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1967-1968; elected, Democrat, United States House of Representatives, 1968-1993; not a candidate for reelection, 1992; married, Alice Ann Gray Gaydos, children, Joseph M. Gaydos, Jr., Kelly M. Gaydos- Constantino, Kathleen M. Gaydos, Coleen Gaydos Tomcik, Tammy L. Caye; died, February 7, 2015 (aged 88), Elizabeth, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; interment, Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery, Monroeville, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 45thd district, Allegheny (Part) County, 1967-1968; resigned, November 5, 1968.

Continued Government Service/National Politics:

Elected, Democrat, United States House of Representatives, 20th Congressional District, special election, vacancy, death of United States Representative, Elmer J. Holland; Congresses, 90th (1967–1969), 91st (1969–1971), 92nd (1971–1973), 93rd (1973–1975), 94th (1975–1977), 95th (1977–1979), 96th (1979–1981), 97th (1981–1983), 98th (1983–1985), 99th (1985–1987), 100th (1987–1989), 101st (1989–1991), 102nd (1991–1993); committee assignments, Education, Labor, Printing, House Administration Health and Safety Sub-committee; instrumental in drafting the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, (ERISA) which protects workers' pensions; not a candidate for reelection, 1992.

Legacy:

First Slovak American, serve Congress, United States House of Representatives.

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members "G"". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) February 9, 2015.

Fedor, Helen. "The Slovaks in America"

Joseph Matthew Gaydos (1926-2015) - Find a Grave Memorial