IN LOVING MEMORY OF
John F.
Phelan
June 10, 1929 – October 19, 2015
Obituary
Waterbury – Attorney John F. Phelan died peacefully at his home in Waterbury after an extended illness on the 19th day of October, 2015. John was born in Waterbury on June 10, 1929, the second son of the late John F. Phelan and Isabelle Kane.
John graduated from Kingsbury Grammar School, Crosby High School, The College of Holy Cross, and Yale Law School. While at Crosby he met the love of his life Mary McCarthy and never turned back. They married after school and remained married until Mary's death.
John was a brilliant lawyer, respected by all of his peers, and one to whom they confidently turned to for advice during his entire professional life. Following law school he served for two years in Army Intelligence, and then returned to Waterbury, practiced law with the late probate Judge Jim Lawlor at 193 Grand St. and then opened an office in the Lilley Building on West Main St. and had a sole practice of the law. Within a few years he changed Connecticut Law in a significant way by successfully arguing before the Connecticut Supreme Court of errors in the case of Elizabeth Hamon et al. v. Patsy T. Digliani et al., which held that a buyer of product could maintain an action against a manufacturer of such product even though there was no privy (contract) between the buyer and the manufacturer.
John enjoyed politics and served as Campaign Manager for Joe McNellis in his successful bid for Mayor against Edward D. Bergin. He became an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Waterbury and later was appointed by the same Bergin when he again became Mayor to be the City Negotiator. He served in that capacity for decades and gained the respect of all the City Unions for his fairness and ability. He was the author of the complete Charter revision for the city and was consulted by his peers with respect to its interpretation. He was always courteous, knowledgeable, and patient with them at such times. John was a director of Catholic Family Services and participated actively in its programs for many years.
He regretted the demise of the "general practitioner" of the law and commented on it anytime given the opportunity. In 1978 he left the Lilley building and entered a partnership in law with Attorney Frank T. Healy, Jr., which he maintained for 30 years until his retirement in 2008.
John is survived by his two sons, John P. Phelan of Waterbury, his caregiver, with whom he resided, and Charles M. Phelan and his wife Michelle of Middlebury; four grandchildren, Shawn, Austin, Liam, and Mia; and his brother-in-law, Charles McCarthy of California.
He was predeceased by his wife Mary; and his older brother, Clement Phelan.
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at VITAS, especially Stephanie and Donna; his caregiver, Lori; and Joe the Barber.
Family and friends may call on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Bergin Funeral Home, 290 East Main St. Waterbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 182 Robbins St. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church. Prayers of committal will follow in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are asked to be made in John's name to Vitas Healthcare, 199 Park Road Extension, Suite 102, Middlebury, CT 06762.
John graduated from Kingsbury Grammar School, Crosby High School, The College of Holy Cross, and Yale Law School. While at Crosby he met the love of his life Mary McCarthy and never turned back. They married after school and remained married until Mary's death.
John was a brilliant lawyer, respected by all of his peers, and one to whom they confidently turned to for advice during his entire professional life. Following law school he served for two years in Army Intelligence, and then returned to Waterbury, practiced law with the late probate Judge Jim Lawlor at 193 Grand St. and then opened an office in the Lilley Building on West Main St. and had a sole practice of the law. Within a few years he changed Connecticut Law in a significant way by successfully arguing before the Connecticut Supreme Court of errors in the case of Elizabeth Hamon et al. v. Patsy T. Digliani et al., which held that a buyer of product could maintain an action against a manufacturer of such product even though there was no privy (contract) between the buyer and the manufacturer.
John enjoyed politics and served as Campaign Manager for Joe McNellis in his successful bid for Mayor against Edward D. Bergin. He became an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Waterbury and later was appointed by the same Bergin when he again became Mayor to be the City Negotiator. He served in that capacity for decades and gained the respect of all the City Unions for his fairness and ability. He was the author of the complete Charter revision for the city and was consulted by his peers with respect to its interpretation. He was always courteous, knowledgeable, and patient with them at such times. John was a director of Catholic Family Services and participated actively in its programs for many years.
He regretted the demise of the "general practitioner" of the law and commented on it anytime given the opportunity. In 1978 he left the Lilley building and entered a partnership in law with Attorney Frank T. Healy, Jr., which he maintained for 30 years until his retirement in 2008.
John is survived by his two sons, John P. Phelan of Waterbury, his caregiver, with whom he resided, and Charles M. Phelan and his wife Michelle of Middlebury; four grandchildren, Shawn, Austin, Liam, and Mia; and his brother-in-law, Charles McCarthy of California.
He was predeceased by his wife Mary; and his older brother, Clement Phelan.
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at VITAS, especially Stephanie and Donna; his caregiver, Lori; and Joe the Barber.
Family and friends may call on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Bergin Funeral Home, 290 East Main St. Waterbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 182 Robbins St. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church. Prayers of committal will follow in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are asked to be made in John's name to Vitas Healthcare, 199 Park Road Extension, Suite 102, Middlebury, CT 06762.
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