Martin L. Nigro

HON. MARTIN L. NIGRO, a life long resident of Greenwich, died on September 5, 2011, at the age of 82. Martin was born in the Greenwich Hospital on May 4, 1929 to John Nigro and Christine Ryan Nigro. He attended St. Mary's school on Greenwich Avenue for his elementary education and then St. Basil's Preparatory School in Stamford, graduating in 1947 with honors. Martin then studied at Fairfield University and graduated in 1951 as part of the first graduating class, with a Bachelors of Arts Degree, cum laude. In 1954, Martin graduated from the Yale University School of Law with a LLB, Bachelor of Law Degree. Martin became a member of the Connecticut Bar in July of 1954 and was admitted to the Federal Bar the following month. He then served in the United States Army from December 1954 until 1957 and was assigned to a special unit performing duty with the Adjutant General Corps and the Judge Advocate General Corps. He was also a columnist for an award winningspecial services newspaper, the Walters Blade. Upon discharge from the army, Martin worked briefly as an assistant court clerk in the Superior Court at Hartford and Stamford until he entered private practice, primarily with the firm of Heagney, Lennon and Nigro, located in Greenwich. In 1970, he was appointed as the chief prosecutor and later appointed State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Stamford-Norwalk. On October 3, 1977, Martin was appointed as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas and the following year he was appointed as a judge of the statewide Superior Court. For thirty four years, Martin served as a Superior Court Judge sitting in many different judicial districts on both civil and criminal matters. In the recent decade, his service had focused primarily on complex criminal matters in the Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District. Throughout his life Martin was also a member of several local boards and committees. In addition to his parents, Martin was predecased by his beloved wife, Anne Sparton Nigro, in 2008, and his sister Maureen Nigro Ward earlier this year. He is survived by his daughter, Suzannah Kim Nigro, who is married to Martin Joseph Denihan and his grandchildren, Michael Martin Denihan and Samantha Lynn Denihan. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Church, 178 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT. at 10 a.m on Friday September 9, 2011. Calling hours will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday September 8, 2011 at The Leo Gallagher and Son Funeral home 31 Arch Street Greenwich, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Olympics in Martin's name. Notes of comfort may be sent to the family at www.leopgallaghergreenwich.com.