Former US Rep. Joseph Early Sr., of Mass., Dies

Joseph Early Sr., a former congressman from Massachusetts, has died at age 79.

Early was a Democrat who served in the U.S. House from 1975 to 1993. He died Friday at his home in Worcester.

His death was confirmed by Tim Connolly, a spokesman for Early's son, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.

Early lost his seat in the U.S. House in 1992 to Peter Blute, a Republican from Shrewsbury. The loss came after a House banking scandal. Early was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.

Before being elected to Congress, Early was a state representative from 1963 to 1974.