Robert J. Callahan, 82, the former chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, died on New Year’s Day at Norwalk Hospital, his family said Wednesday. He retired in 1999 after 14 years on the court, including the last three as its chief justice.
The Associated Press quoted his son, Robert J. Callahan Jr., as saying the former jurist had Parkinson’s Disease.
“Chief Justice Callahan made a lasting impact in Connecticut, serving nearly fifteen years on the Supreme Court and authoring hundreds of opinions that have had a profound impact on the laws of our state,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Wednesday.
“Through my own experience both as an attorney and in public service, I’ve witnessed firsthand his dedication, integrity, and intellect,” Malloy said. “His leadership skills and humor guided the court through several difficult cases, always with honest reasoning and judgment. My condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues in the judicial branch.”
Callahan was a graduate of Boston College and Fordham University Law School.