Peter Cacchione
Encyclopedia
Peter V. "Pete" Cacchione (November 1, 1897 – November 27, 1947) was a communist labor leader who was elected to the New York City Council
. He was born of immigrant parents in Syracuse, New York
and grew up in Sayre, Pennsylvania
. According to fellow communist city councilman Benjamin J. Davis
, Cacchione served in World War I
. He then worked as a railroad trainman and repairman, and at other blue-collar jobs. In 1932 he moved to New York and became active in leftist politics. In 1935, he was elected National Commander of the Workers' Ex-Servicemen's League, and he became chairman of the Bronx Communist Party USA
the next year.
Cacchione moved to Brooklyn
and ran unsuccessfully for city council on the Communist Party ticket in 1937 and 1939. He was elected in 1941 and was reelected twice, serving until his death.
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
. He was born of immigrant parents in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and grew up in Sayre, Pennsylvania
Sayre, Pennsylvania
Sayre is the largest borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, northwest of Scranton. In the past, various iron products were made there. In 1900, 5,243 people lived there; in 1910, 6,426 people lived there, and in 1940, 7,569 persons made their homes in Sayre. The population was 5,813 at the 2000...
. According to fellow communist city councilman Benjamin J. Davis
Benjamin J. Davis
Benjamin J. "Ben" Davis , was an African-American lawyer and communist who was elected to the city council of New York City, representing Harlem, in 1943...
, Cacchione served in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He then worked as a railroad trainman and repairman, and at other blue-collar jobs. In 1932 he moved to New York and became active in leftist politics. In 1935, he was elected National Commander of the Workers' Ex-Servicemen's League, and he became chairman of the Bronx Communist Party USA
Communist Party USA
The Communist Party USA is a Marxist political party in the United States, established in 1919. It has a long, complex history that is closely related to the histories of similar communist parties worldwide and the U.S. labor movement....
the next year.
Cacchione moved to Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
and ran unsuccessfully for city council on the Communist Party ticket in 1937 and 1939. He was elected in 1941 and was reelected twice, serving until his death.