Former CT Chief Justice William J. Sullivan dies at 83
Former Connecticut Chief Justice William J. Sullivan, who served as a judge in Connecticut for decades and was a U.S. Army captain in Vietnam, died at the age of 83 Monday night, according to the state judicial branch.
Sullivan, a Waterbury native, served as chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court from 2001 to 2006. Sullivan was first appointed to be a Superior Court judge in 1978. He presided over criminal, civil, family, juvenile and housing matters, according to a biography provided by the state judicial branch.
He served 19 years as a Superior court judge and was appointed to the Appellate Court in 1997. He was named to the Supreme Court in 1999, according to the state judicial branch’s website.
Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson said Sullivan, who went by “Tocco,” dedicated his life to serving others.
“Throughout his legal career, Chief Justice Sullivan never wavered from his fierce protection of the rule of law,” Richard said in a statement Tuesday. “He was a giant who inspired many, and while it’s often said that no one is irreplaceable, there was only one Tocco Sullivan.”
Gov. Ned Lamont said Sullivan made a “lasting impact” on the state.
“It is without doubt that Chief Justice Sullivan has made a lasting impact in Connecticut, having served as a judge for nearly three decades and authoring hundreds of opinions that continue to impact our legal
system today,” Lamont said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “His service to our nation as a captain in the Army during the Vietnam War is also to be highly commended and respected.”
“My condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues in the judicial branch,” Lamont added.
Sullivan was “many things,” according to Robinson.
“But what stands out the most about this remarkable man was his dedication to public service, coupled with his very deep devotion and loyalty to his family and friends,” Robinson said. “If Tocco was your friend, you had a friend for life, through thick and thin.”
“As for family, nothing mattered more to him than his beloved wife, children, grandchildren and extended family,” Robinson continued. “They were, quite simply, the apex of his life.”
Sullivan received his bachelor’s degree from Providence College in 1962. He then earned his Juris Doctor from the MarshallWythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in 1965, the judicial branch’s website states.
After his studies, Sullivan served as a captain in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1966. He served a tour in Vietnam and was awarded two bronze stars for merit, the air medal and various campaign ribbons, according to the judicial branch’s website.
He then was honorably discharged from the Army and practiced law with attorney Robert E. Mellon. In addition to practicing law, he served as civil service commissioner and corporation counsel for the city of Waterbury, according to a biography provided by the judicial branch.
The former chief justice was suspended for 16 days in 2006. While on the Supreme Court, Sullivan delayed a ruling’s release in an attempt to help Justice Peter Zarella win confirmation from the legislature to succeed him as chief justice, the Associated Press reported.
Sullivan and Zarella voted in the majority of the ruling, which kept certain judicial records secret. Sullivan later told a panel that disciplines judges that he believed the ruling would harm Zarella’s chances of being confirmed. Zarella was facing legislative confirmation hearings when Sullivan ordered a delay in the ruling’s release, according to the AP.
Sullivan retired in 2006 and elected to take senior status, according to the AP and the judicial website.