(Giuseppe Antonio) Langone Sr., was an Italian immigrant from Marsico Nuovo, Potenza, who opened a successful funeral home in Boston and is credited with bringing the Order of the Sons of Italy in America to Massachusetts.

In 1907, Langone Sr. was awarded a bronze medal by the Italian government for "notable progress in business and finance and society".

As a first lieutenant in the Massachusetts State Guard, Langone Jr. led a company during the Boston Police Strike of 1919.

[8] Known as a fiery-tempered defender of the "little man", Langone launched an investigation into Boston's welfare department, alleging it was withholding money from the needy, and in 1939 organized a march on City Hall to demand better services for the North End.

Langone was seen as the favorite due to the district's large Italian population, however he finished third behind Thomas A. Flaherty and John F. Cotter.

Flaherty's victory was seen as a swing towards Mayor Maurice J. Tobin and away from James Michael Curley, whose supporters backed Langone.