[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 97 (Tuesday, July 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF FRANCIS RESTIVO

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2013

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, as our nation celebrated its liberty and 
independence last week, a champion of liberty has passed away in our 
home community of Toledo, Ohio. Judge Francis ``Buddy'' Restivo passed 
from this life at the age of 91 on July 2, 2013. We extend deepest 
sympathy, heartfelt prayers, and gratitude from our community to his 
family for sharing him with us these many years. Truly, he was a 
generous, kind, and wise ``buddy'' to all who knew him. His gleeful 
presence never failed to inspire anyone who met him. His smile was 
infectious, his humor ever-flowing.
  Judge Restivo came from humble beginnings yet graduated from Toledo's 
Central Catholic High School and the University of Toledo, earning his 
law degree. The economic circumstances from which he arose in his early 
years were not easy and then he served during World War II, where he 
was a member of the Air Force 136th Radio Intelligence Squadron. He 
married his wife, Jane, with whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage. 
Together they built a strong family and raised four children.
  Buddy Restivo dedicated his life to public service and to our 
community. He was an assistant Ohio attorney general and assistant 
Lucas County prosecutor. He served on Toledo City Council in 1957 to 
1960, and then served as solicitor for Sylvania, Walbridge, and 
Northwood. In 1971 Ohio Governor John Gilligan appointed him to the 
Toledo municipal court. He was elected later that year, and reelected 
to six-year terms in 1973 and 1979. In 1980, he was elected to a 
vacancy on Lucas County Common Pleas Court and re-elected in 1982. He 
retired in 1986 and worked until 2000 as a visiting judge and as a 
hearing officer for mental health commitment cases for Lucas County 
Probate Court.
  Judge Restivo was a fair and compassionate judge with a keen 
understanding of both people and the law. Lucas County Probate Court 
Jack Puffenberger said of Judge Restivo, he ``was considerate of 
everyone in his courtroom. He was an excellent judge. He had good legal 
knowledge and he knew people and he just knew how to be fair. He was a 
great mentor . . .'' Toledo lawyer Jerome Phillips perhaps expressed it 
best when he said, ``I would classify him as a people's judge. He had a 
wonderful understanding of people and how to try to deal with the 
problems they had.''
  After retirement, though he kept in touch with the lives of 
colleagues and the law, his focused turned to fishing, family, and 
University of Toledo basketball. His son explained, ``He went on 
numerous fishing trips with family members. He was a big UT Rockets 
fan, especially basketball. He had season tickets probably 40 years.''
  If the measure of a man can be counted by the lives he touched, then 
Judge Restivo was a great man indeed. He has shared his love of life, 
good heart, and generous spirit as husband, father, grandfather, and 
great grandfather for his wonderful family, as well as our community 
and country. He shall be missed by all who knew the pleasure of his 
company. How fortunate each of us is to have known him, been blessed by 
his happy spirit, love of life, respect for the ``common man,'' and his 
even-handed dispensing of the law. His good measure lifted us all. May 
his family and friends draw strength and comfort from his example of 
living life to its fullest as he helped countless others along life's 
way. His life made us all better as people and as a community.

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