Guide to the Jerry Leopaldi Collection 1945-2002 (Bulk: 1963-1969) MG 1630

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Descriptive Summary
Biographical Note:
Scope and Content Note
Arrangement
Access Points
Related Material
Administrative Information

Series Descriptions and Container List

Series 1: Entertainment

Series 2. Labor Union (IUE-CIO)

Series 3: Labor’s Peace Corps.

Series 4: Supporting American Servicemen.

Series 5: 52 Association

Series 6: Personal / Miscellaneous

Series 7: Photographs

Series 8: Oversized material

Series 9: Audio Visual material

Guide to the Jerry Leopaldi Collection
1945-2002 (Bulk: 1963-1969)
MG 1630

The New Jersey Historical Society
52 Park Place
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Contact: NJHS Library
(973) 596-8500 x249
library@jerseyhistory.org
https://www.jerseyhistory.org
© 2008 All rights reserved.
The New Jersey Historical Society, Publisher
Processed by Doug Baldwin.

Finding aid encoded by Julia Telonidis. January 2008. Production of the EAD 2002 version of this finding aid was made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.Finding aid written in English.


Descriptive Summary

Creator: Leopaldi, Jerry, 1927-2002.
Title: Jerry Leopaldi Collection
Dates 1945-2002
Abstract: This collection contains a significant amount of manuscript, newsprint, photographic and audiovisual material related to life
and work of Jerry Leopaldi, New Jersey based theatrical agent and philanthropist.
Quantity: 34.25 linear feet (9 manuscript boxes, 1 oversized folder, and 5 boxes of videotapes) located 5th floor above Curator of
Manuscripts desk, OS mapcase and 5th fl. conf. rm. closet)
Collection Number: MG 1630

Biographical Note:

Jerry Leopaldi was born in Jersey City, NJ on July 21, 1927. He moved to Newark as a youth, and is a graduate of Newark’s East Side High School. Mr. Leopaldi served in the United States Merchant Marines during World War II. During his service, his ship hit a mine and was sunk near the coast of Bornea.

From 1943, until his retirement in 1968, Mr. Leopaldi was an employee of International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) in Clifton, NJ. During that time, he served as president of their local IUE-CIO union. In 1955, he married his wife Angela (Dante) Leopaldi.

During the late 1950s and 1960s, Mr. Leopaldi became involved in various philanthropic causes. He served as regional director of the 52 Association, which existed to help wartime veterans. In 1963, he began the Labor’s Peace Corp, which was dedicated to helping the people of underdeveloped countries in South America. In 1965, Mr. Leopaldi began the Committee to Support American Servicemen, which was involved in raising money to help wartime veterans at home, as well as refugees and orphans in South Vietnam. Through SAS, he became involved in providing entertainment acts at VA hospitals across the northeastern US.

After retiring from ITT in 1968, Mr. Leopaldi began his own entertainment production company, Jerry Leopaldi Enterprises. This company engaged in scouting acting and performing talent, producing education and civic programming, and supporting philanthropic programming during the 1970’s. His production company received support and funding from 20th Century Fox due to Mr. Leopaldi’s relationship with Spyros Skouras (former head of the film production company). He also produced an awards event that aired on the Pat Boone Show. Additionally, his company became involved in casting for several major motion pictures during the decade including ‘The Exorcist’, ‘The Godfather’, and ‘The French Connection’ (in this film in fact he played an extra). Furthermore, his company produced several local cable television programs, many of which he hosted, as well as public education short films

In the 1980 and 1990s, Mr. Leopaldi continued his involvement in helping others through his production company, including initiating the America’s Students Helping Students program during the late 1990s. This program was dedicated to empowering youth to help them become, as well as remain, drug and alcohol free.

On June 18, 2002, Mr. Leopaldi died of kidney complications. He was married to Angela Leopaldi until his death. The couple had five children.

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Scope and Content Note

This collection contains a significant amount of manuscript, newsprint, photographic and audiovisual material related to life and work of Jerry Leopaldi. The items in this collection have been processed and categorized into groupings based on their subject, as well as the different organizations to which Mr. Leopaldi was affiliated. His letters and correspondence represent largely his work with various philanthropic organizations, as well as his work as an entertainment producer. Heavy correspondence between Mr. Leopaldi and certain individuals have been grouped together. The newspaper clippings in this collection chronicle Mr. Leopaldi’s public life from the early 1950’s to his death in 2002. Significant among these are his involvement in wartime efforts to help servicemen during Vietnam, his involvement in aiding South American countries in economic need, and his involvement in the entertainment industry.. Significant among the letters in this collection is correspondence between Jerry Leopaldi and former NJ governor Richard Hughes, entertainer Pat Boone, and former head of 20th Century Fox Spyros Skouros.

It should be noted that the contents of a personal binder kept by Mr. Leopaldi have been kept together and placed with his personal correspondence and materials (Series IV). However, this binder does contain a significant amount of newspaper clippings and materials that pertain to the other series in this collection.

The photographs in this collection reflect the different aspects of Mr. Leopaldi’s life. Most of the pictures in this collection depict Mr. Leopaldi’s public life such as dinners, meetings, experiences in foreign countries, union activity and those whom he helped during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Along with these are two sleeves of .35mm slides depicting wounded persons in Vietnam and some of his SAS related work. Significant among the photographs in this collection are those taken with (or of) Richard J Hughes, General William Westmoreland (who commanded significant operations during the Vietnam War), Spyros Skouras, Pat Boone, and Connie Francis. Also of interest are a large amount of photographs taken during Mr. Leopaldi’s visit to Vietnam during the 1960’s, depicting both native Vietnamese as well as US soldiers.

Part of this collection is also represented by approximately 500 videocassettes. The videos contain both programming and events produced by Jerry Leopaldi. Mr. Leopaldi’s entertainment company was involved in both producing television programming as well as producing events themselves that his company would then film. The public events he produced were captured on VHS format videocassettes, while a large portion of the television programming he hosted and produced are captured on UMatic cassettes. The programs he hosted and produced were local cable programs that dealt with such topics as youth culture, politics, local affairs, as well as a talent search program and law enforcement program. His programs aired in the late 1970’s and early-mid 1980’s mostly.

The collection also contains an oversized folder that contains anti-drug posters, an election campaign poster, and state resolution honoring the memory of Mr. Leopaldi.

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Arrangement

The series in this collection are comprised of organizations to which Mr. Leopaldi belonged, as well as separate series for photographic/media material, personal material, and oversized material. The manuscript groups (organizations and personal) have been organized based on correspondence types, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous material. Photographs and media material have been organized and subject. Series and groups have also been organized chronologically where that information was available.

Series 1. Entertainment
Consists of six folders containing correspondence, newspaper clippings, material related to a humanitarian award created by
Jerry Leopaldi, and miscellaneous manuscript items related to his involvement in the entertainment industry and as a producer
for Jerry Leopaldi Enterprises.

Series 2. Labor Union (IUE-CIO)
Consists of seven folders of correspondence, Union election campaign material, labor newspapers, newspaper clippings, and
miscellaneous items concerning the labor union to which Mr. Leopaldi belonged as an employee at ITT.

Series 3. Labor’s Peace Corps.
Consists of seven folders of correspondence, newspaper clippings, material related to ‘Mankind Day’, Congressional proceedings,
and miscellaneous items

Series 4. Supporting American Servicemen (SAS)
Consists of fourteen folders (two boxes) of correspondence, newspaper clippings, Congressional records, miscellaneous items
and an event program.

Series 5. 52 Association
Consists of six folders correspondence newspaper clippings, a Congressional record, program for a Vietnam War moratorium,
and a state proclamation.

Series 6. Personal / Miscellaneous
Consists of 10 folders (two boxes) of correspondence, resumes, certificates/citations, newspaper clippings, documents related
to two programs created by Mr. Leopaldi, election material for his campaign to run for NJ State assembly, and the contents
of a personal binder.

Series 7. Photographs
Consists of three boxes of photographs taken between 1951-1972 concerning Mr. Leopaldi’s involvement with SAS, Labor’s Peace
Corp, the local IUE-CIO, and Jerry Leopaldi Enterprises.

Series 8. Videocassettes. Consists of Leopaldi television programs such as The Good News, Crime Blockers, The Columbus Day
Parade, The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, The Italian Tribute
and several other programs. See Leopaldi Tapes for a detailed inventory list of videotapes in this collection.

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Access Points

The entries below represent persons, organizations, topics, forms, and occupations documented in this collection.
Subject Names:
Boone, Pat.
Francis, Connie.
Hughes, Richard J. (Richard Joseph), 1909-1990.
Leopaldi, Jerry, 1927-2002.
Skouras, Spyros.
Westmoreland, William C. (William Childs) 1914-2005.
Subject Organizations:
America’s Students Helping Students.
Good News.
International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation.
IUE-AFL-CIO.
Thomas A. Dooley Foundation.
United Services Organizations (U.S.)
Subject Topics:
Anti-communism–New Jersey.
Labor unions–New Jersey.
Motion Picture Industry.
Philanthropy.
Refugee children.
Television producers.
Television programs.
Vietnam War (1961-1975).
Subject Places:
Da Nang (Vietnam).
Newark (N.J.).
Vietnam.
Document Types:
Clippings.
Correspondence.
Photographs.
Posters.
U-Matic tapes.
Videocassettes.

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Related Material

For other materials related to the Vietnam War and Labor Unions, see:

Manuscript Group 1525, Dr. Leo Litzky Collection


Manuscript Group 1527, Ihne-Vogdorich Family Collection

Manuscript Group 1540, Ronald T “Rocky” Sorrento Papers


Manuscript Group 1613, Mostillo Family Papers


Manuscript Group 1629, Rubinstein Collection

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

This collection should be cited as: Manuscript Group 1630, Jerrry Leopaldi Collection, The New Jersey Historical Society.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Angela Leopaldi, 2002.

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Series Descriptions and Container List

Series 1: Entertainment

Scope and Content:

Consists of six folders containing correspondence, newspaper clippings, material related to a humanitarian award created by
Jerry Leopaldi, and miscellaneous manuscript items related to his involvement in the entertainment industry and as a producer
for Jerry Leopaldi Enterprises.

Box Folder Title Date
1 1 Letters received and sent 1967 Jul -1986 Oct
1 2 “Betterment of Mankind” award (Correspondence and proposals) 1967 Feb, 1973 May, n.d.
1 3 Newspaper Clippings 1971 Mar -1976 Nov
1 4 Newspaper Clippings 1977 Dec -1988 Oct
1 5 Newspaper Clippings n.d.
1 6 Miscellaneous 1975, 1982, n.d.

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Series 2. Labor Union (IUE-CIO)

Scope and Content:

Consists of seven folders of correspondence, Union election campaign material, labor newspapers, newspaper clippings, and
miscellaneous items concerning the labor union to which Mr. Leopaldi belonged as an employee at ITT.

Box Folder Title Date
2 1 Letters sent 1965 Oct -1966 Dec
2 2 Letters received 1954 Jun -1967 May
2 3 Union officers election campaign 1967 Apr – 1969, n.d.
2 4 Labor Newspapers 1946 Jun – 1959 Sept
2 5 Newspaper Clippings 1949 Apr -1957 Dec
2 6 Newspaper Clippings 1963 Oct -1967 May, n.d.
2 7 Miscellaneous (letters, photocopied pictures, pamphlets) 1950, 1963 Nov – 1966 Jul, n.d.

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Series 3: Labor’s Peace Corps.

Scope and Content:

Consists of seven folders of correspondence, newspaper clippings, material related to ‘Mankind Day’, Congressional proceedings,
and miscellaneous items.

Box Folder Title Date
3 1 Letters received – US correspondence 1963-1965
3 2 Letters received – South American correspondence 1965
3 3 Letters sent 1964-1965, n.d.
3 4 Newspaper clippings 1963 Jul – 1966 Apr
3 5 “Mankind Day” (newspaper clippings, proclamations, and related correspondence) 1964-1965, n.d.
3 6 “Congressional Record” (publication of Congressional proceedings) of 89th Congress, first session; Two (2) copies of pages
from the “Congressional Record”
1963-1965
3 7 Miscellaneous (correspondence, project proposals, by-laws, press releases, questionnaires, and pamphlets) 1963-1967, n.d.

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Series 4: Supporting American Servicemen.

Scope and Content:

Consists of correspondence, newspaper clippings, Congressional Records, miscellaneous items and an event program.

Box Folder Title Date
4 1 Letters received – Miscellaneous; Letters received from United Service Organizations (USO) 1965-1970
4 2 Letters sent 1965-1970, n.d.
4 3 Correspondence with Pat Boone 1966 Jun – 1967 Jan
4 4 Correspondence with Spyros Skouros and Colonel Victor R Biscaglia 1966-1967
4 5 Correspondence with The Thomas A. Dooley Foundation, Inc. 1967
4 6 Press releases and media pamphlets 1965-1968
4 6 Press releases and media pamphlets 1965-1968
Box Folder Title Date
5 1 Newspaper clippings 1965 Nov – 1967 Dec, n.d.
5 2 Newspaper clippings 1968-1970
5 3 Miscellaneous (meetings minutes, pamphlets, certificate of appreciation, by-laws, mission statements, letters of authorization,
thank you cards); “Congressional Record” (publication of Congressional proceedings) of 90th Congress, second session; Sixth
and Seventh Annual Leatherneck Ball programs
1965-1969

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Series 5: 52 Association

Scope and Content:

Consists of six folders correspondence newspaper clippings, a Congressional record, program for a Vietnam War moratorium,
and a state proclamation.

Box Folder Title Date
6 1 Letters received 1969 Jan – 1970 Jun, 1976 Oct
6 2 Letters sent 1964 Jul, 1969 Jul – Sept
6 3 Letters sent 1964-1965, n.d.
6 4 Letters sent 1970 Jan – July, 1971 Apr
6 5 Miscellaneous 1969 – 1970, n.d.
6 6 “Congressional Record” (publication of Congressional proceedings) of 91st Congress, first session;
Program for Vietnam War moratorium at Verona High School (Verona, NJ);
Proclamation from the Office of the Governor (NJ); Miscellaneous
1969

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Series 6: Personal / Miscellaneous

Scope and Content:

Consists of 10 folders of correspondence, resumes, certificates/citations, newspaper clippings, documents related to two
programs created by Mr. Leopaldi, election material for his campaign to run for NJ State assembly, and the contents of a personal
binder.

Box Folder Title Date
7 1 Personal correspondence / letters / notes 1955 Feb – 1974 Aug
7 2 Resumes n.d.
7 3 Certificates and citations / proclamations 1945 Aug – 2000 Nov
7 4 Press / Newspaper clippings and an issue of “Today’s Secretary” from October 1967 1954 Feb – 1975 Aug
7 5 Obituaries for Jerry Leopaldi 2002 Jun 21, Jun 27
7 6 Contents of personal binder kept and organized by Jerry Leopaldi (includes newspaper clippings, correspondence, pamphlets
and photographs)
1963 Oct – 1972 Jan
7 7 “Lest We Forget: A Pictorial Summary of Communism in Action” published by the Committee on Un-American Activities 1960 Jan 13
7 8 Campaign materials for the election of Jerry Leopaldi for the NJ State Assembly 1951 Oct – Nov
7 9 Documents relating to the Positive Impact Foundation 1997 Nov – Dec
7 10 Documents relating to America’s Students Helping Students 1997 Nov – 2001 Feb

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Series 7: Photographs

Scope and Content:

Consists of photographs taken between 1951-1972 concerning Mr. Leopaldi’s involvement with SAS, Labor’s Peace Corp, the local
IUE-CIO, and Jerry Leopaldi Enterprises.

Box Folder Title Date
8 1 Eleven (11) 35mm slides related to Committee to Support American Servicemen (SAS) 1966
8 2 Ten (10) 35mm slides regarding individuals wounded during Vietnam War n.d.
8 3 Photographs – SAS involvement in the country of Vietnam 1962, 1963, Apr – Dec 1965
8 4 Photographs – SAS involvement in the country of Vietnam Mar – Nov 1966, 1967 – 1969
8 5 Photographs – SAS involvement in the country of Vietnam n.d.
8 6 Photographs – SAS relating to opening of USO facility in China Beach (Da Nang East) Vietnam 1966, n.d.
8 7 Photographs – SAS sponsored visits to wounded Vietnam War servicemen 1967 – 1969, n.d.
Box Folder Title Date
9 1 Photographs – SAS sponsored visits to wounded Vietnam War servicemen 1967 – 1969, n.d.
9 2 Photographs – ‘Betterment of Mankind’ award statuette n.d.
9 3 Photographs – Miscellaneous 1951-1972
9 4 Photographs – Miscellaneous n.d.
9 5 Photographs – Miscellaneous n.d.
9 6 Photographs – Miscellaneous n.d.
9 7 Photographs – Miscellaneous n.d.
9 8 Photographs – Labor’s Peace Corps. involvement in Latin America n.d.

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Series 8: Oversized material

Scope and Content:

Consists of 1 folder containing mostly posters

Folder Title Date
OS 1 Joint Legislative Resolution to honor the memory of Jerry Leopaldi;
Campaign poster to elect Jerry Leopaldi East Ward Councilman;
Two (2) posters advertising the ‘Choose Life – Not Drugs’ 10 hour teleconference televised by Orechio Broadcasting (channel
#36) and produced and co-hosted by Jerry Leopaldi

ca. 1989-2002


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Series 9: Audio Visual material

Scope and Content:

Consists of several large boxes of videotapes

Folder Title Date
Large size boxes in 5th floor conference room closet 212 numbered videotapes (arranged in numerical order) separated into 5 boxes. Consists of Leopaldi television programs such
as The Good News, Crime Blockers, The Columbus Day Parade, The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, The Italian Tribute
and several other programs. See Leopaldi Tapes for a detailed inventory list of videotapes in this collection.
1983-2002

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