Angelo D. Malandra

Angelo D. Malandra was born in Pennsylvania on April 15, 1907 to Charles and Rose Malandra. The family moved to New Jersey sometime between 1912 and 1917. By 1930 the family had moved to 1909 South 4th Street in Camden’s Eighth Ward. Charles Malandra by then had his own tailoring business. After graduating from Camden High School, Angelo Malandra furthered his education. He was attending law school at the time of the 1930 Census. He graduated in June of 1933.

After passing the New Jersey bar Angelo Malandra remained in Camden, where he practiced law and was involved in local politics. He maintained offices in the Wilson Building at Broadway and Cooper Street.

Angelo Malandra was an associate of Felix “Man o’ War” Bocchicchio, best known as World’s Heavyweight Champion Jersey Joe Walcott. Angelo Malandra served as legal counsel for Bocchicchio and Walcott in the late 1940s and 1950s, and later served as Deputy Mayor of the City of Camden, and as a judge. By 1947 he had moved to 1579 Collings Road North, in Fairview. He later moved to 3129 Atlanta Road.

In 1961 Angelo Malandra turned his back on his former political patron, Mayor George E. Brunner and led a slate of seven candidates against him within the Democrat county committee. Angelo Malandra also was a leader in the 1961 campaign that changed Camden’s city government from its City Commission to a Mayor-Council format, effectively undoing the reforms of 1922.

In 1967 Angelo D. Malandra was rewarded for his services to the Democrat party with an appointment to a judgeship by then New Jersey Governor Richard Hughes.

Angelo Malandra died in February of 1973. His daughter, Lynne Malandra Kmiec, made her mark as Democratic chairwoman of Cherry Hill. She headed the Camden County Board of Elections and served as executive director of the Camden County Democratic Committee while George E. Norcross III was party chairman. She also served as chief of staff and political director for Democrat Congressman Rob Andrews.

The Malandra Hall Recreation Center in Fairview is named in his memory.

A verdict of six cents was awarded against William B. Knight, Jr., in favor of Miss Emma M. Thagen in a breach of promise suit at a moot trial in the Chancery Court room.

The trial was held by the graduating class of the South Jersey Law School with an all male jury in the box and the court room crowded.

Young Knight was described as a playboy by his friends. He declared Miss Thagen once told him that she would never marry him if she wanted a “permanent man.” He said she declared he was all right as a playboy. He denied he ever promised to marry her. He admitted showering her with gifts and took her out twice a week.

Miss Thagen said she gave up Edward A. Finn when she “fell in love with Billie.” She said he always led her to believe they would marry some day. She admitted calling him a “scarecrow once.” The fair plaintiff collapsed when the jury “vindicated” her wounded heart with the verdict.

“Judge” Henry F. Stockwell presided. Knight was represented by Robert Norris, Angelo D. Malandra and Henry Miller. John L. Morrissey and Ellis H. Wood were counsel for Miss Thagen.

Raymond J. Jubanyik was a character witness for Knight. Edward A. Finn and Lawrence Finlayson testified for Miss Thagen. F. De Witt Kay acted as sheriff and John F. Rogers was clerk of the court.

The jurors were Henry Wille, foreman; Samuel Singer, Joseph McCullough, Walter W. Evans, John Kerrigan, Harold W. Kotlikoff, Mitchell Stern, Charles Hale, Robert Landis, Fred Streng, Elmer Bertman and Joseph Liebeman.

The constables were Wiedner Titzck, Theodore T. French, Samuel T. French, Jr., William G. Freeman and George A. Streltz.

Elmer G. Van Name, president of the college, was among the interested spectators. The trial was given under the direction of Professor Edward L. Platt, associate dean.

College of South Jersey Will Also Graduate Class at Walt Whitman

Young Professional Members to Be Guests at Dinner Dance

Six youths of Camden city and county, graduates of various institutions of higher learning, who have embarked upon professional careers within the past ten months, will be honored tonight at a dinner-dance, to be tendered them by the Circolo Italiano of Camden County.

The event is scheduled to begin at 8 p. m. in Hotel Walt Whitman.

The honored guests are Dr. Anthony Di Ielsi, of 1018 South Fifth Street, graduate of Hahnemann Medical College; Dr. John Carman Canal of 101 Black Horse Pike, Haddon Heights, graduate of the Temple University Dental School; Dr. John D. Del Duca, of 919 South Fifth Street, also a graduate of Temple University Dental School; Philip M. Mealo, civil engineer with a degree from Carnegie Tech., Angelo D. Malandra, 1909 South Fourth Street, graduate of the South Jersey Law School, and Dr. P. J. Chinappi, of 1728 Broadway, who holds a degree from Temple University Dental School.

Common Pleas Judge Eugene V. Alessandroni, of Philadelphia will be one of the principal speakers. Others include State Senator Albert S. Woodruff, Mayor Roy R. Stewart of Camden and Dr. A. A. de Porreca, noted Philadelphia architect.

Rocco Palese, assistant prosecutor of Camden County and president of the Circolo Italiano of Camden County, will preside as toastmaster. Other officers of the organization are Edward V. Martino, vice president; Vincent A. Sarubbi, recording secretary; Cosmo Buono, corresponding secretary and Dr. Troiano, treasurer.

The Circolo Italiano of Camden County was organized in October, 1931 with a membership of six. Today its membership totals 44 men. Its purpose, is set forth in its charter of incorporation, “to engender, stimulate, and foster interest in the movement for the betterment of the Italian American citizens in the County of Camden.”

The committee directing tonight’s dinner dance includes Chairman Martino, Gene R. Mariano, John R. Di Mona, Anthony Marino, Dr. Troiano and Joseph Bantivoglio.