John Michael Bailey

BAILEY John Michael Bailey, age 59, of West Hartford, died Monday, September 22, 2003, at home. Born in Hartford, June 13, 1944, he was the son of the late John Moran Bailey and the late Barbara Leary Bailey. After attending The Austin School and Noah Webster School in Hartford he graduated from LaSalle Military Academy in Oakdale, Long Island, N.Y. He spent a post-graduate year at the Winchendon School in Winchendon, Mass. He attended Ashland College (now University) in Ashland, Ohio, where he graduated in 1968 as president of the student government and president of the intra-fraternity council. He attended The Columbus School of Law, Catholic University, Washington, D.C. graduating in 1971 as president of the student bar association. Prior to becoming assistant state’s attorney for G.A. 12 in East Hartford (now Manchester) in 1975, he practiced law at the firm of Bailey and Weschler in Hartford. In 1973 he served as executive director for the Winchendon School and Subsequently as a member of its Board of Trustees for many years. In 1979 he was elected by the judges of Hartford County to be state’s attorney for the judicial district of Hartford-New Britain (now Hartford). In 1993 he was appointed chief state’s attorney for the State of Connecticut, the position he held until the time of his retirement November 1, 2002. Beginning in 1993 he was a board member of the National District Attorneys Association, assistant secretary and, then, treasurer of the Association at the time of his retirement. He served as president of the Hartford County Bar Association in 1987-1988 and president of the Connecticut Bar Association in 1993-1994. In 1991 he was elected a fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He was the recipient of numerous awards including the distinguished service award of the Connecticut Police Commissioners of Connecticut in 1995, the 2001 community service award from the Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc. and in 2003, a special recognition award from the Connecticut Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission and the Lieutenant Governor Joseph J. Fauliso Award for civilian excellence from the Connecticut State Police. His service to the state included past president of the Connecticut Prison Association (now Community Partners in Action), past vice-president of the Hartford Institute of Criminal Justice and the Criminal Justice Education Center, past vice chair of the Governor's Prevention Partnership, and chairman of the Governor’s Law Enforcement Council. He was a frequent speaker and award recipient at Connecticut’s service club, receiving in 2003 a special recognition award "The Finest of Connecticut’s Finest" from the Connecticut District Exchange Clubs. He was formerly a member of the adjunct facilities of the University of New Haven and Central Connecticut State University. He made numerous good will trips with Connecticut’s Adjutant General to visit the state’s National guard troops including his last trip in December 2001 to Bosnia-Herzegovina. He was a member of the Madison Beach Club, Madison, Wampanoag Country Club, West Hartford, and The Tawas Beach Club, East Tawas Mich. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Elizabeth Dee Bailey; his two sons, John M Bailey II of Hartford and Brian Bailey of New Haven; his three sisters, Louise Bailey of West Hartford, former congresswoman Barbara Kennelly of Hartford; and twin Dr. Judith Perkins of West Hartford; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family extends special gratitude to the McLean Home Health Care aides, Simsbury. Calling hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at the Ahern Funeral Home, 180 Farmington Avenue, Hartford. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 25, 2003, at the Cathedral of St Joseph, 140 Farmington Avenue, Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Connecticut Criminal Justice Education and Charitable Association, Inc. (CCJECA), 945B Cromwell Avenue, #286, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or Connecticut Friends for ALS for Research, P.O. Box 146 Glastonbury, CT 06033.