Joseph F. Dannehy

The Honorable Joseph F. Dannehy of Willimantic, retired justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, who had a long and distinguished career in the Connecticut judiciary, died December 16, at Windham Community Memorial Hospital. Born in Willimantic on May 28, 1917, he was the son of Michael F. and Bridget Rawley Dannehy. He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Riordan Dannehy, who died in 1997. He leaves two daughters, Attorney Nora R. Dannehy of Glastonbury and Mary Ellen Dannehy of St. Paul, Minnesota and two sons, Judge Michael R. Dannehy and his wife Rhonda of Manchester and Patrick T. Dannehy of Willimantic, two beloved grandchildren, Thomas F. and Ruth R. Dannehy, and a sister Teresa Daniels of Willimantic. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Michael and James Dannehy. Justice Dannehy attended St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, received a bachelor's degree from Boston College and a law degree from Cornell University Law School in 1943. From 1943 to 1946, he served in World War II with the Counter Intelligence Corps of the 17th Airborne Division in Germany. Justice Dannehy was a member of the Windham County Bar Association and began his law career Willimantic where he was assistant prosecuting attorney in the Police Court and Corporation Counsel for the city. In his 42 years on the bench, Justice Dannehy served on every court in the Connecticut judicial system. In 1961, Governor Abraham Ribicoff nominated him to the Circuit Court. In 1965, Justice Dannehy was appointed to the Court of Common Pleas by Governor John Dempsey and served as the Chief Judge of that court from 1967-1968. In 1968, he was appointed a judge of the Superior Court. In 1983, Governor William O'Neill nominated Justice Dannehy to be the Chief Presiding Judge of the newly-created Appellate Court where he served until 1984 when he was appointed an Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. Justice Dannehy retired from the Connecticut Supreme Court in May 1987 and served as a Judge Trial Referee until his death. During his distinguished legal and judicial career, Justice Dannehy also served on the Judicial Council, the Sentence Review Division of the Superior Court, the Commission on Adult Probation, and the State Bar Examining Committee. He also was the Administrative Judge of the Windham Judicial District and a member of the Executive Committee of the Superior Court. In addition to his work as a judge, Justice Dannehy also was active in politics and community affairs. He served as assistant clerk of the State Senate and also was Chairman of the Windham Democratic Town committee and president of the Windham County Democratic Association. Justice Dannehy was governor of the Willimantic Country Club, director of the Willimantic YMCA, trustee of the Windham Community Memorial Hospital, president of the Windham Visiting Nurses Association, president of the Greater Willimantic Community Chest, first vice president of the Willimantic Chamber of Commerce and director of the Chronicle Printing Company and the Willimantic Savings Institute. Friends may call at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street (Rte. 195), Willimantic on Friday, December 19 from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20 at St. Joseph's Church, 99 Jackson Street, Willimantic with interment to follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph's Capital Fund, 99 Jackson Street, Willimantic, Connecticut 06226. Please visit www.potterfh.com for online expressions of sympathy and directions.