Former Washington Gov. Albert Rosellini, 101, who became the oldest living former governor in America and who brought an everyman personality to the state's top office, died Monday of pneumonia.
A Democrat and son of Italian immigrants, he was governor for eight years ending in 1965. His tenure in office was defined by efforts to change state prisons and modernize mental-health institutions. He helped push for the creation of the 520 floating bridge that now bears his name.
Mr. Rosellini was a boxer in college and took three jobs to put himself through school. King County prosecutor Warren G. Magnuson hired Rosellini out of law school.
