Judge Samuel Chiaravalli, 104, died Monday, October 22, 2012, at Bridgeway Senior Health Center, Bridgewater. Born in October 11, 1908, in Bound Brook, he was a lifelong resident. A graduate of Bound Brook High School, he continued his education, graduating pre-law from Fordham University in 1929 and John Marshall College of Law in 1932, graduating with his law degree. Prior to becoming a lawyer he was a barber. While attending law school he was a professional boxer in Jersey City, New Brunswick, Trenton, and Plainfield. He also worked in his father's barber shop in Bound Brook to help make ends meet. Although he wished to pursue a career in sports management, he abided by his father's wishes and studied law. He began his law career clerking under Fredrick Pope, and was part of the defense team in the Lindbergh case. He opened his own Law Office in 1934, specializing as a trial attorney. At age 24, he became one of the youngest lawyers in New Jersey history to defend a client in a murder case. Besides criminal trials he also handled numerous negligence and accident cases. He took on many "tough cases" and won an impressive string of court victories. His practice continued until December, 2011. In 1947 he became a part time District Court Judge. In 1952 he was one for the first judges appointed as a full time Superior Court Judge in Somerset County. He retired from the bench in 1962 and returned full time to his private practice. During his tenure only three of his cases were appealed and none reversed. He was famous among defense lawyers for his ability to quote vast tracts of case precedence from memory. Besides his distinguished law career, the Judge was an active member in the community. Beginning in 1967 he served on the Middlesex County Utility Authority, serving as Chairman and Vice-chairman of the authority, and chairman of the Personnel Committee. He was the founder of Bound Brook's first Republican Club and was the director of the former Bound Brook Hospital.
Judge Chiaravalli was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Catarina Cotugno Chiaravalli, his nine sisters, and his beloved wife Theresa in 1999. He is survived by his son, Frank Chiaravalli of Bound Brook, nieces and nephews, and many beloved friends and colleagues.
Funeral services will be 8:45 AM Saturday, October 27, at Hagan-Chamberlain Funeral Home, 225 Mountain Ave., Bound Brook, followed by a 9:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, Bound Brook. Visitation will be Friday, 2:00 - 4:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 PM, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bound Brook Rescue Squad, Bound Brook, NJ 08805, or Bound Brook Hose Co. No. 1, Bound Brook, NJ 08805.
