James Condon

Colchester, Vt. — James O’Neill “Jim” Condon, 60, a New London native who became a prominent broadcaster and seven-term state legislator in Vermont, died Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, after a brave fight with cancer. He leaves his wife, Virginia McGehee Condon and their son, Thomas L. Condon, a senior at Syracuse University.

Jim began his broadcasting career in the New London area. He worked at Hall Communications’ stations in Norwich and in 1984 became news director at Hall’s Burlington stations WJOY-AM/WQCRFM, where he met his future wife. They married and moved to Colchester, Vt. in 1993.

Jim and Louie Manno, his lifelong friend and longtime collaborator, were a legendary news-and-nonsense morning-drive team for many years. Later, they operated the Radio Deli on Pearl Street in Burlington, Vt. Jim served as president of the Vermont Associated Press Broadcasters Association and was named Vermont AP Newscaster and Sportscaster of the Year. He also served as executive director of the Vermont Association of Broadcasters.

As a lawmaker, Jim was known for his willingness to cross the aisle to reach consensus on school funding, taxes and other issues.

Jim loved fatherhood, the Red Sox, University of Connecticut basketball (his alma mater), horse racing and genealogy. In July, he and Ginny spent six days in Ireland and saw many of the sites that were part of his family-history record.

Besides his wife and son, Jim is survived by five siblings and nine siblings-inlaw: Tom and Anne Condon of West Hartford; Pat Condon and David Duranti of New London; Deirdre Wyeth of New York City; Garret and Daria Condon of West Hartford; Brian Condon of New London; Sherri V. Condon of New London; Sarah and John Komisin of Charlotte, N.C.; Ted and Beverly McGehee of Baton Rouge, La.; and Edward McGehee of Boston, Mass. He also is survived by many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12, at the Elley-Long Music Center at Fort Ethan Allen in Colchester, Vt.

Donations may be made to The VNA of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties at https://www.vnacares.org/ donating-to-vna/make-an-online-donation/