Felix Irzyk
Felix Irzyk | |
|---|---|
 Irzyk as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives | |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 13th Essex district | |
| In office 1931–1934 | |
| Preceded by | Denis J. Sullivan |
| Succeeded by | Edward A. Coffey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 17, 1895 |
| Died | February 7, 1978 (aged 82) Salem, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | 3, including Albin |
| Occupation | Saint Mary's Cemetery Salem, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Felix Irzyk (April 17, 1895 – February 7, 1978) was a Polish–American politician who was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1931 to 1934. He was the first person born in Poland to serve in the Massachusetts General Court.
Early life
[edit]Irzyk was born in Congress Poland on April 17, 1895.[1][2] He was educated in the Salem Public Schools and attended the SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary.[2] His education stopped at the fifth grade and he worked as a shoe cutter.[1] He later became an insurance agent.[2] Irzyk married another Polish immigrant, Sophia Mroczka. They had three children – Albin, Flora, and Arthur. Albin F. Irzyk was a brigadier general in the United States Army and commanded a battalion of the 4th Armored Division during the Battle of the Bulge.[1]
Politics
[edit]In 1926, Irzyk defeated 11-year incumbent John H. Greely for the Ward 1 seat on the Salem city council.[3] In 1930, he defeated incumbent Denis J. Sullivan to win the Democratic nomination for the Massachusetts House of Representatives seat in the 13th Essex district.[4] In the general election, he defeated Republican Frederick J. Donovan 2,729 votes to 1,990.[5] He was the first person born in Poland elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[4] He was reelected in 1932, but did not run in 1934.[6] Irzyk briefly worked as a laborer in the Salem parks department, but was fired by mayor Joseph B. Harrington after he opposed the mayor's proposal to sell a parcel of city land to the New England Power Company at a state legislative hearing.[7]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Oral history interview with Albin Irzyk". United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 Public Officials of Massachusetts. 1931. p. 185. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ "Stickers Elect Ashley Mayor of New Bedford". The Boston Globe. December 8, 1926.
- 1 2 Merrill, John (September 21, 1930). "Burrill to Run Against Burrell". The Boston Globe.
- ↑ Election Statistics. 1930. p. 256. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ Merrill, John (August 18, 1934). "Withdrawals Open Path for Russell". The Boston Globe.
- ↑ "Salem Mayor Fires City Laborer Who Opposed Land Sale". The Boston Globe. March 11, 1949.