Hon. Louis James Rinaldi was born in Schenectady, New York on April 19, 1898 to Alfredo and Catherina Rinaldi. In 1918, in the waning months of World War I, Rinaldi enlisted in the United States Army as a Private. A few months later, with the war ended, Rinaldi returned to civilian life and in the fall of 1919, enrolled at Union College, in Schenectady, New York. In 1923, he went on to study at Albany Law School, from which he graduated in 1925.

Brother Rinaldi served a short term in office—from February to December, 1924. He is considered to be the last of the undergraduate Grand Consuls (although he was a graduate student at the time).

During his term, legislation was passed that mandated that only alumni brothers would be eligible for the office of Grand Consul. Also, the Fraternity, under Rinaldi’s leadership, established Districts for the first time in order to promote contact among the entities and better administration. It should be noted that during Brother Rinaldi’s administration — for the first time since 1918 — no expansion took place.

Brother Rinaldi, was a founder of Iota chapter in 1921, and a member of the Schenectady Alumni Club. He was also a member of several civic and cultural organizations, including the New York Athletic Club, the Sons of Italy and the Italian-American Veterans. From 1956-1961, Rinaldi served as the Police Justice for Schenectady, New York. He also served as president and secretary of the Schenectady Bar Association.

Brother Rinaldi died of a heart attack on May 12, 1977; he is buried at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Greenville, New York.