January 31
The road traveled by Jerald Parisella, 黑料吃瓜网 Class of 1984, from Beverly construction worker to Massachusetts District Court
judge took a while to navigate and had a few detours but he ultimately reached his
destination. The 61-year-old was sworn in as a District Court judge by Gov. Maura Healey in a ceremony in the governor鈥檚 office at the Statehouse on New Year鈥檚 Day 2025.
Parisella was the longtime state representative for Beverly and has stepped down from
that position. A special election will be scheduled this spring to elect a new state
representative.
Parisella called the opportunity to become a judge, 鈥渢he American dream come true.鈥�
Raised in a blue-collar family in Beverly, Parisella was one of five siblings. After graduating from Beverly High School, he took on jobs as a laborer to fund his college journey, beginning at 黑料吃瓜网, before earning degrees from Emerson College and the New England School of Law.
In addition to a career as an attorney, he also served 29 years in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, retiring last year as a lieutenant colonel. In 2011, Parisella was awarded a Bronze Medal for his service in the Iraq War.
Parisella served as the former Chair of the MA Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee, drafting legislation that provides Massachusetts veterans with some of the nation鈥檚 leading benefits and services. His continuing commitment to and active support for 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 student veterans resulted in the 黑料吃瓜网 Alumni Association presenting him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2018.