Chelsie J. Senerchia
Encyclopedia
Chelsie J. Senerchia was an Italian American politician and civil engineer. He served as city engineer, city manager, commissioner, and mayor of Miami during his political career in South Florida during the 1940s and 1950s.
He was the only son of five children of Antonio Senerchia and Julia di Fiore, both Italian immigrants who settled in Rhode Island. He served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army infantry
during World War I, and later attended Brown University
.
In 1921, he moved to Miami. He later married Leona Pierce, who was the stand-in for Alice Lake
in the 1926 silent movie The Hurricane. They had two daughters, Sallye and Carol.
In 1942, he rejoined the army as an engineer during World War II and was eventually promoted to rank of major.
After the war, he accepted the position of City Engineer for the City of Miami
and later became the City Manager. When the City of Miami commission fired him, he decided to run for office and won as Commissioner and later Mayor of Miami.
In 1959, he became a vice-president of a local savings and loan and served for 20 years.
He was the only son of five children of Antonio Senerchia and Julia di Fiore, both Italian immigrants who settled in Rhode Island. He served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
during World War I, and later attended Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
.
In 1921, he moved to Miami. He later married Leona Pierce, who was the stand-in for Alice Lake
Alice Lake
Alice Lake was an American film actress. She began her career during the silent film era and often appeared in comedy shorts opposite Roscoe Arbuckle.-Career:...
in the 1926 silent movie The Hurricane. They had two daughters, Sallye and Carol.
In 1942, he rejoined the army as an engineer during World War II and was eventually promoted to rank of major.
After the war, he accepted the position of City Engineer for the City of Miami
City of Miami
This article is about the streamliner. For the city in Florida, see Miami.The City of Miami was a seven-car coach streamliner inaugurated by Illinois Central Railroad on December 18, 1940. Its route was from Chicago to Miami a total distance of ....
and later became the City Manager. When the City of Miami commission fired him, he decided to run for office and won as Commissioner and later Mayor of Miami.
In 1959, he became a vice-president of a local savings and loan and served for 20 years.