Dear Editor,

As the iconic, the honorable Judge Frank A Fregiato, Esquire has, as of June 30, 2023 officially retired from his position as Belmont County Common Pleas Court Judge, a position he has admirably held since 2013, has, unquestionably left his positive indelible mark on the area’s legal/judiciary community. I would like to respectfully recollect his long-time illustrious career.

Judge Fregiato has been a life-long resident of Belmont County, spending his formative years growing up in Bridgeport and Martins Ferry, respectively. Graduating as a member of the National Honor Society from Martins Ferry High School in 1970. He earned his Bachelor’s degree Cum Laude, from The Ohio State University in 1973, and his Juris Doctor (Law) degree, also Cum Laude, from The Ohio State University in 1977 as well.

He was admitted to the Ohio Bar and began his law career in Belmont County with the firm known and highly respected, for many years as Thomas, Fregiato, Myser, Hanson, and Davies located in Bridgeport, Ohio in 1977, where he practiced law until he was assumed the position of Belmont County Common Pleas Court Judge in 2013. In addition, Judge Fregiato was selected to serve the U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio in 1978, the U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit in 1981. As well as the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991, respectively.

In addition to serving in the position of Belmont County Common Pleas Court Jusge from 2013 until his June 30, 2023 retirement, Judge Fregiato had also previously served Belmont County as Belmont County Northern Division Court Judge from 1997-2013, as well as Law Director of Bellaire (1994-1995), and Solicitor for the Villages of Brookside (1984-1996) and Belmont (1979-1984), respectively.

Personally, I have known Judge Fregiato for approximately 60 years, and am proud and honored to have been one of his many friends over the years. I recall, also, that Judge Fregiato spent many of his formative years growing up on Pearl Street, attending South Elementary in Martins Ferry, graduating from Martins Ferry High School in 1970, along with other prominent Belmont County attorneys, fellow classmates Greg Hinzey and Dan Fry, who served for several years as the Prosecuting Attorney for Belmont County and graduated from Martins Ferry High School in 1971.

I vividly remember that approximately five and a half decades ago, I made the prediction to Frank, who even then was quite a spell-binding speaker, that he would venture to Hollywood and become “the new Tony Curtis.” Although I do believe that if Frank had chosen to pursue that career, he would have been quite successful in the entertainment business as well, because he always had that “star quality.”

However, I, as are many, am grateful to Judge Fregiato for his dedication, leadership, and professionalism in his outstanding service to Belmont County.

Personally, in addition to my gratitude for his service and friendship, I would like to wish Judge Fregiato a long and incredibly happy retirement.

Richard Hord

Martins Ferry