T-L File Photo Former Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato volunteers at the Sons of Italy to make the organization’s trademark sausages for the Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival in 2021.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County officials are mourning the loss of former Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato, who died at his home Nov. 27.

The Martins Ferry High School graduate received his bachelor’s degree in political science and his law degree from Ohio State. He served as Belmont County Northern Division Court Judge from 1997 through 2013. He then served as Belmont County Common Pleas Judge from August 2013, and as presiding Judge of the Court from 2014 until his retirement in June of 2023.

He also ran the county drug court and has been active in community initiatives such as spearheading the Belmont County Schools Staying Clean Club Car, Bike and Truck Show, which raises funds and awareness for drug prevention among young people.

Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan said that Fregiato’s continuation of the drug court program showed the type of judge that he was.

The drug court is a program for offenders with low level felony drug offenses that utilizes intense efforts for rehabilitation.

“The compassion and the effort that he provided to that program was a clear indicator of who the man behind the robe really was,” Flanagan said.

The general public knew Fregiato as a really tough, no-nonsense judge, Flanagan said. But with his drug court program, he took off his robe and dealt with the individuals one on one, handling their situation with a level of understanding that was appropriate and needed.

The drug court program was started more than three decades ago by Judge Edward Sargus Jr. and Judge John Sullivan and was later taken over by Fregiato and Judge John Vavra.

After Fregiato’s retirement in 2023, Judge Chris Berhalter replaced him on drug court.

“He had a very tough persona when he had the robe on, but you would not have found a kinder or more sociable person,” Flanagan said.

St. Clairsville Police Chief Matt Arbenz added that Fregiato was a law enforcement officer’s favorite judge.

“If you polled just about every police officer or deputy in the county they would probably say that Frank Fregiato was their favorite judge,” Arbenz said. “He was a cop’s judge when he sat on the bench, but he was very friendly, accommodating and welcoming in private with all of us. He was beloved by my police officers.”

He added that any time an officer would need a warrant signed in the middle of the night, Fregiato was very accommodating in inviting the officer to his house to sign the warrant.

“If you ever went to his home to get a warrant signed, which a lot of us in our careers did, go to his home late at night to get a warrant signed. He always brought you in and always wanted to feed you and give you something to drink and ask you about your family and your life,” Arbenz said. “He was just a super genuine, good, and caring guy.”

In addition to being a judge, Fregiato was a very active member of the Sons of Italy. Belmont County commissioner Vince Gianangeli, who previously served as the Sons of Italy president, said Fregiato was one of only two members who received a lifetime membership to the organization during Gianangeli’s presidency.

“I had the privilege of knowing him, both professionally and personally. He’s one of two people that I gave a lifetime membership during my presidency, and that was mainly because of his dedication to the Sons of Italy,” he said. “He did a lot of legal work for us free of charge, but Frank was such a dedicated member. He sorely will be missed.”

Gianangeli added that he hasn’t seen Fregiato since he moved to Cincinnati following his retirement.

“I want to send my condolences, obviously, to his family and we’re all very saddened to hear the news of his passing,” Gianangeli said.

St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman added that she is also saddened to learn of the death of

Fregiato.

“He was a very honorable and courageous man, never afraid to do the right thing,” Thalman said. “He was also very invested in our young citizens, working hard to keep them away from drugs. The world is a much better place because of his efforts.”

Belmont County Commissioner J.P. Dutton said that Fregiato’s impact in Belmont County was immense.

“In terms of being an elected official myself, he was really almost a role model to other elected officials in Belmont County, and sort of just how to conduct yourself with professionalism and involvement in the community,” Dutton said. “I think it was a pretty high bar for elected officials like myself to witness someone conducting themselves every day in that manner. It’s something you want to strive for and try to maybe even at least get somewhere near that level, because it’s what the community deserves.”

He added that he believes the community deserves elected officials that care as deeply as Fregiato did.

“That’s what we’re trying to do every day as elected officials in Belmont County is to continue to try and get better each day,” Dutton said.

Martins Ferry police chief Vince West said that Fregiato was a very stern but fair judge, especially with drug court.

“Drug court helps out a lot, it gives people the ability to better themselves with certain conditions that they have to go through.It’s not easy by any means,” West said. “He treated law enforcement wonderfully. I’ve never had a bad incident with him. I respected him and enjoyed being around him.”

He added that anytime he saw Fregiato, he would always make it a point to say hi or shake West’s hand.

“He’ll for sure be missed,” West said.