Richard A. Moccia | |
|---|---|
| Moccia in 2011 | |
| 39th Mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut | |
| In office 2005–2013 | |
| Preceded by | Alex Knopp |
| Succeeded by | Harry Rilling |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 9,1943 Stamford,Connecticut,U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Barbara A. Vieux (m. 1981) |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence(s) | Ridgefield, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Norwalk Community College (AA) Marywood University (BS) |
Richard A. Moccia (born August 9, 1943) is an American politician who is the former mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut. He is a Republican, and was elected in 2005 and served four terms prior to his 2013 mayoral election loss to Harry Rilling. [1] Moccia defeated incumbent mayor Alex Knopp by fewer than 200 votes in 2005. In 2019, Moccia ran for First Selectman of Ridgefield, but was not elected. [2] He currently serves on the Ridgefield Board of Finance. [3]
Moccia was born in Stamford, Connecticut to Elena "Helen" ( née Morsa; 1906–?) and Bonifacio "Benny" Moccia (1900–1993). His father was born in San Mango sul Calore in Campania, Italy and immigrated to the United States in 1922, [4] becoming a naturalized US citizen in 1934. He worked as a machine operator. [5] His mother was born in Rhode Island to Italian parents. He had two elder brothers and a sister.
He graduated from Stamford High School and then studied at Norwalk Community College where he completed an associate degree in Liberal Arts and a second one from Sacred Heart University in Paralegal Studies. He also holds a degree in Business Administration from Marywood College. [1]
Moccia has served as a member of the Norwalk Common Council, the Fire Commission, the Fair Rent Commission, and the Redistricting Committee. He is a former Constable, City Sheriff and Connecticut State Marshal. [1]
As mayor, Moccia was a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition, an organization formed in 2006 and co-chaired by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston mayor Thomas Menino. [6]
On October 3, 1981, Moccia married Barbara A. Vieux (b. 1938), in Norwalk, Connecticut. [7] Since 2014, he has been a resident of Ridgefield, Connecticut. [8] They have four children. [9]