Judge Jennaro, 81, loved his Italian heritage
William A. Jennaro was a lawyer, judge and storyteller, a Milwaukee original who grew up on the city’s near south side, remained close to his roots and devoted years to helping cultivate the Italian Community Center.
Beyond his love of family and respect for the law, he also had a passion for playing gin rummy with friends.
For more than 40 years, Jennaro was part of a serious yet high-spirited weekly card game.
“Billy would start the story and a half an hour later he’d be on the same story. It was never-ending. We’d just all fold our arms and listen,” said his longtime friend Frank Calarco.
Jennaro died Sunday in Milwaukee from complications from COVID-19, his son Mario said. He was 81.
“I guess the most important thing to understand about my dad is he loved being Italian,” Mario said. “That was who he was, and it meant so much to him.” Jennaro was proud of his heritage and objected to stereotypes.
“It’s pleasant to be an Italian,” he told The Milwaukee Journal in 1985. “It’s like having a little magic stone in your pocket that you carry with you. And on the stone it says, ‘you were lucky enough to be born Italian.’ ”
Growing up, Jennaro worked in his family’s produce business. Later, he worked his way through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University Law School, where he graduated in 1968.
He and his wife, Rita, were childhood sweethearts and they raised two children, Mario and Lisa.
“My dad wasn’t supposed to or expected to go to college, law school or be elected a judge. But he kind of beat the odds and did it all,” Mario said. “So he always expected to succeed at what he tried and that was really the story of his life. He would make it happen when others thought he couldn’t.”
He was among the group that helped found the Italian Community Center and was the organization’s eighth president. He also played an important role at Festa Italiana, where he was a popular emcee and also oversaw the gondolas.
“He just did so much,” said Joseph Emanuele, the center’s current president. “He took part in all the events and sat on committees and helped with the building, the maintenance on the building, overseeing the business end. He was just a wonderful, wonderful guy.”
Jimmy Spataro, a former president at the center, said “Bill was a very friendly, always smiling type of guy. Shook a lot of hands. He was very astute and wellliked by everybody.”
Jennaro was extremely serious about the law. He was an assistant district attorney in Milwaukee County, and served for two years as Children’s Court public defender.
He served as a judge in Milwaukee County from 1973 to 1984, starting on the Children’s Court. He also flirted with a run for Milwaukee mayor in the early 1980s.
Later, he worked as an attorney and mediator. He also served a term as president of the Milwaukee Bar Association.
“He was a very interesting guy,” said attorney Franklyn Gimbel, who worked with Jennaro. “Everyone who practices law in Milwaukee, who has been a lawyer more than 10 years, knows him, loves him. He was a colorful character who came from humble origins and was very successful.”
Other survivors include two grandchildren, his brother Myron, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at Northshore Funeral Service Chapel, 3601 N. Oakland Ave, Shorewood. Funeral services and interment will be private.