Arthur O. Anselmo

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Anselmo, Arthur O. Passed away peacefully April 26th in Duluth, MN. After spending a weekend of story telling and special moments with his family and close friends. He was 89. Arthur was born May 8th, 1926 in Hibbing, Minn. He was the son of Italian immigrants Pietro and Erminia Anselmo. After graduating from Hibbing High School in 1944, Arthur served a brief stint in the U.S. Army Air Corps before attending college at St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minn. He followed his undergraduate study with a law degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, and returned to Hibbing, where he became the village attorney. He was elected as a special municipal judge in1952 at the age of 26. At age 34, Arthur became a Judge in Minnesota's Sixth Judicial District, and at the time was the youngest person to ever have served in this position. After six years on the district bench, the onset of bipolar disorder forced him to resign. Arthur spent the next several years trying to wrest his life back from his illness as he learned to manage the drastic swings between mania and depression. He eventually went on to serve 20 years as the Assistant Minnesota Attorney General in Duluth, where he helped navigate the complex and emotionally charged legal proceedings involved with bringing I-35 through the city. During this period, Arthur also chaired Governor Rudy Perpich's State Commission on Bocce Ball and brought the U.S. Bocce Federation's national tournament to Duluth in 1986. In his retirement, Arthur became a mental health advocate, serving on the boards of several mental health organizations and sharing his experience with bipolar disorder. He even made a brief appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show to share his experiences of despair and recovery. Arthur was the proud father of two sons, Dario (Jeanne) and Greg; grandchildren, Andrew, Aidan, Alessandra, He is also survived by Lynda Anselmo and countless friends. Arthur loved fast cars, Frank Sinatra and Italian food. He will be remembered for his energy, charm and wit. He leaves behind a great legacy. SERVICE: A Catholic Memorial Mass, 3 pm, Tuesday, May 10th at Pax Christi, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Mental Health Minnesota, 2233 University Ave. W., Ste. 424, Saint Paul, MN 55114, mentalhealthmn.kindful.com, In Memory: Arthur O. Anselmo. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth. (218) 727-3555

Published on May 5, 2016