Walter J. Trybulski

Trybulski was born Charlestown, New Hampshire.[1] He was the oldest of 12 children.[2] In 1911 the family moved to Chicopee.[1] Trybulski dropped out of high school his junior year in order to become a priest in the Franciscan Order. He studied at St. John's Seminary in Buffalo, New York for two years before returning to Chicopee to help his family financially by working in a factory.[1][2]

From 1935 to 1940, Trybulski was a member of the Chicopee board of alderman.[1] From 1942 to 1950 he served as city treasurer. From 1952 to 1956 he was the city's mayor.[2] As mayor, Trybulski successfully lobbied the Strategic Air Command to build its center at Westover Air Force Base, which expanded the city's population and economy.[1]

In 1960, Trybulski was the Republican nominee for Massachusetts State Treasurer. He was the first Polish-American to win nomination for a statewide office in Massachusetts.[2] He lost the general election to Democrat John T. Driscoll 58% to 41%.[3]

From 1964 to 1974, Trybulski was a member of the state's Industrial Accident Board.[1]

While serving on the Chicopee board of alderman, Trybulski became interested in law. He attended night classes at Northeastern University School of Law's Springfield campus and received a law degree in 1942.[2] Trybulski specialized in workers' compensation cases. He maintained a private law until his retirement in 1986.[1]

Trybulski died of heart failure on January 13, 1989 in Chicopee.[1]