25 September 2007

Judge Connolly - Gone at 49

| Heavs
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Died this morning of a massive heart attack. Makes me think that there is no point in exercise and looking after yourself – this bloke was the fittest guy you’d find going around. Regularly rode into work.

More to the point he was a really nice, down to earth sort of bloke who was also a great judge. Check out some of his writings to get a handle on the common touch he had. The ACT Legal Community and the community as a whole lost a real good one today. Vale.

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Jonathon Reynolds9:26 am 27 Sep 07

Justice Connolly has been awarded the ACT’s first state funeral since self-government.

Canberra Times:
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=general&story_id=1060326&category=general

Lets be serious about this JD114. After all, a surprising number of people die of heart attacks while doing “indoor sports”. More than die from heart attacks caused by cycling no doubt. You wouldn’t suggest banning “indoor sports” would you?

I think that in keeping with the anti-cycling rhetoric so prevalent by a narrow-minded section of this community, we should call for a ban on cycling by all ACT taxpayer-funded workers. the risks are obviously too great.

My condolences.

I wish Higgins would retire!

Gungahlin Al9:20 am 26 Sep 07

Although ABC had a story yesterday about his death, this morning their focus is already on the court being left short-handed: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/26/2043361.htm
They make the point that Judge Crispin *was* due to retire this Friday.

Shocking news. A good friend, who used to work for me, had a heart death sentence over him. He joined the cycle people, he lost weight, he did everything, he was running. And he died at his desk.

I hope Connoly had no idea that anything was going to happen, and I hope it was very, very quick. It’s a real loss. We all lose.

Do we have state (territory?) funerals in the ACT?
From what I’ve heard about this gentleman, he would certainly deserve one. It wouldn’t be unprecedented, Audrey Fagen received a grand send off.

As a court transcriptionist, Justice Connolly has been the greatest pleasure to listen to every day with his eloquence and profound thought. Our office shared a quiet moment in thought of him this morning.

Cycling! hmpf!

I don’t think what someone did for a living should be relevant at their time of death, so I shall just say that any death is tragic, and particularly one this young.

Condolences to his family.

I was dismayed when I heard this. Far too young, and with a young family. Demonstrably a thinking and responsive judge with a consciousness of the effect of his actions on all those who might be touched by them. His sentencing decisions show great commonsense and compassion, along with a capacity for frankness.

It is a terrible loss for the community, and I cannot imagine what it is like for his family and those who knew him best.

Please. Can the usual sledgers just shut up this time. Please.

I don’t know anything about him, so I won,t comment on him. But 49 is too young to die, especially for someone who take care of them self. My thoughts go to the family.

Jonathon Reynolds11:49 am 25 Sep 07

This is great and sad loss for the Territory… an individual who was well respected for his capabilities across both sides of the local political divide. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family.

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