Frank Dooley

Frank Dooley began swimming as a child with his father’s urging. His father was a paraplegic after being shot during World War II and would coach him from his wheelchair. Dooley began swimming in New Haven, Connecticut, often with several Yale swimmers, but he went to school at The Ohio State University, where he made All-American three times. After the 1952 Olympics, Dooley returned to Ohio State, graduating with a degree in business administration. Following graduation, Frank served as First Lieutenant during the Korean War. He was stationed in Korea and Japan for a year and served as a legal officer for the First Marine Air Wing.

Dooley began working with Aetna Insurance Company but then attended law school at the University of Connecticut, and had a legal career for over 50 years in Connecticut. Dooley later competed in masters swimming competition. Dooley was a Member of the Board of Governors and House of Delegates for the Connecticut Bar Association and was the first Commissioner of Connecticut’s Victims’ Commission. He was also a member of Connecticut’s State Police Commission.

Dooley was involved in politics, running for State Senate in 1976, although he lost out to the incumbent. He was a member of the Democratic State Convention Platform Committee under Governor Ella Grasso and retired as Chairman of the Norfolk Democratic Committee after serving for 35 years.