Edward J. Voke
Encyclopedia
Edward John Voke was the 36th mayor of Chelsea, Massachusetts from 1936 to 1941. In 1946, he was nominated as Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Judicial Court
by then-governor Maurice J. Tobin
, a position he served until his death in 1965. He was a member of the prominent Chelsea political family, having been the brother of Fire Chief Charles G. Voke and City Clerk Richard A. Voke. Voke also served as a delegate to the 1940 Democratic National Convention
in Chicago, Illinois. He was also a Triple-A (baseball) pitcher in his youth and a close friend of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.
.
in 1906 and attended night classes at Northeastern University School of Law
while working for The Chelsea Record. In 1964, he was given an honorary law degree
from Northeastern University.
at St. Cecilia's church in Boston. He was the father of Julia E. Mulkern (1925–1991), Edward Voke, Jr. (1926–1967), and John H. Voke, esq. (1927–2009).
campaign committee. After the death of Everett resident
Judge Nelson P. Brown in 1945, Tobin appointed Voke as Superior Court justice. Judge Voke served this position until his death in 1965, and he remained active in Chelsea politics through the Knights of Columbus
and the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce.
in the presence of 1,500 mourners.
Courts of Massachusetts
Before 1978, all trial courts except the Land Court were county or local courts funded through the counties. The Massachusetts Trial Court was created by Chapter 478 of the Acts of 1978 that reorganized the courts into seven Trial Court Departments...
by then-governor Maurice J. Tobin
Maurice J. Tobin
Maurice Joseph Tobin was a Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, the 56th Governor of the U.S. state of Massachusetts, and U.S. Secretary of Labor....
, a position he served until his death in 1965. He was a member of the prominent Chelsea political family, having been the brother of Fire Chief Charles G. Voke and City Clerk Richard A. Voke. Voke also served as a delegate to the 1940 Democratic National Convention
1940 Democratic National Convention
The 1940 Democratic National Convention was held at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois from July 15–18, 1940. The convention resulted in the re-nomination of President Franklin Roosevelt as the Democratic Party candidate for an unprecedented third term. Secretary of Agriculture Henry A...
in Chicago, Illinois. He was also a Triple-A (baseball) pitcher in his youth and a close friend of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.
Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.
Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kennedy, Sr. was a prominent American businessman, investor, and government official....
Origin
Voke's father, Alfred R. Voke, was a native of Portsmouth, England who came to Boston in his childhood. Voke's mother, Julia Crowley, was born in the North End of Boston, both of her parents having come from County CorkCounty Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Early life and education
Voke was born February 24, 1889 to Alfred R. Voke, a railroad worker, and Julia E. (nee Crowley) Voke. He was the fourth of eight children, only four of whom (all sons) survived. He graduated summa cum laude from Chelsea High SchoolChelsea High School (Massachusetts)
The Chelsea High School is located in Chelsea, Massachusetts and is the only public High School in Chelsea. Established in 1845, Chelsea High moved into their current school building in 1996. The student mascot is the Red Devil and our clubs are GSA , Journalism,German, Science, Art, Reach program,...
in 1906 and attended night classes at Northeastern University School of Law
Northeastern University School of Law
Northeastern University School of Law is a law school in Boston, Massachusetts. From the time of its founding in 1898, the law school's mission has focused on addressing the needs of students and of society....
while working for The Chelsea Record. In 1964, he was given an honorary law degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
from Northeastern University.
Marriage and family
On September 24, 1924, he married Kathryn Alicia Hunter, a native of Winthrop, MassachusettsWinthrop, Massachusetts
The Town of Winthrop is a municipality in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population of Winthrop was 17,497 at the 2010 U.S. Census. It is an oceanside suburban community in Greater Boston situated at the north entrance to Boston Harbor and is very close to Logan International...
at St. Cecilia's church in Boston. He was the father of Julia E. Mulkern (1925–1991), Edward Voke, Jr. (1926–1967), and John H. Voke, esq. (1927–2009).
Career
Voke began his legal practice upon graduating from Northeastern, and in 1936, he was elected mayor. He served three terms, and in 1941, he retired to go back to legal practice. In 1945, Voke served as treasurer on Maurice J. Tobin'sMaurice J. Tobin
Maurice Joseph Tobin was a Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, the 56th Governor of the U.S. state of Massachusetts, and U.S. Secretary of Labor....
campaign committee. After the death of Everett resident
Everett, Massachusetts
Everett is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, near Boston. The population was 41,667 at the 2010 census.Everett is the last city in the United States with a bicameral legislature, which is composed of a seven-member Board of Aldermen and an 18-member Common Council...
Judge Nelson P. Brown in 1945, Tobin appointed Voke as Superior Court justice. Judge Voke served this position until his death in 1965, and he remained active in Chelsea politics through the Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
and the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce.
Death
On April 5, 1965, Voke suffered a heart attack while with his son, John. He was brought to University Hospital, where he died five days later. He was 76. He was buried on April 14 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, MassachusettsEverett, Massachusetts
Everett is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, near Boston. The population was 41,667 at the 2010 census.Everett is the last city in the United States with a bicameral legislature, which is composed of a seven-member Board of Aldermen and an 18-member Common Council...
in the presence of 1,500 mourners.