Francis J. DiScala

Francis J. DiScala, Sr., passed away peacefully on March 16, 2023. He was 94.

Known around the courts as “Broadway Frank”, he was the son of the late George and Antoinette (Iacono) DiScala of Ischia, Italy. A graduate of both Fairfield Prep and the first graduating class of Fairfield University (1951), he then attended Fordham University, earning a law degree and beginning his lifelong passion for trial law. 

A champion of the people, he zealously advocated for the underdog. During his illustrious legal career, he founded the Norwalk law firm of DiScala and DiScala, served as President of the Norwalk/Wilton Bar Association, was a frequent presenter for the American Trial Lawyers Association, a national commentator for Court TV, and mentored many young lawyers who shared his passion. Frank supported women’s rights and proudly published a letter to the NY Times advocating for a national holiday for women. Aside from law, he loved art and music, was a jazz pianist, an avid poet, quoted Shakespeare – especially in courtrooms – and penned hundreds of poems in his lifetime. A favorite accomplishment was his rock opera titled Captain Freedom, written in protest of the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam war. He was an exceptional athlete, excelling as a high school defensive tackle.  

What gave him the most pleasure was spending time with his family, either around the dinner table or vacationing in Sugarbush, VT or Watch Hill, RI. 

Frank is predeceased by the love of his life, his wife of over 50 years, Jeanne (Hansen) DiScala as well as three of his four siblings, Catherine DiScala of Westport, CT, Anna Whiteside of Warren, VT and George DiScala Jr. of Norwalk, CT. He is survived by his youngest brother Joseph DiScala of Jupiter FL and his children, artist Georgette Diamandis and her husband Cameron of Rowayton, CT; Attorney Francis DiScala, Jr. of Westport, CT; artist Carol Calicchio of Delray Beach, FL; travel expert John E. DiScala and his wife Natalie of Manhattan Beach, CA; and 11 adoring grandchildren – Amanda, John, Madison, Morgan, Cameron, Dane, Theiss, Stella, Frankie, Jack and Olivia.

A Catholic Mass will be held at 11AM on April 14, 2023 at St. Joseph Church, 85 South Main Street, Norwalk, CT.