Walter J. Conn

Walter J. Conn, 85, of New Milford, died Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at Candlewood Valley Health Care Center, New Milford. He was the husband of Helena Hulton Conn.
Mr. Conn was born in Kent on January 7, 1922, son of the late Walter D. and Sarah Jennings Conn. He was a graduate of New Milford High School, Class of 1939, and Henry Abbott Technical School in Danbury. He was owner-operator of Conn's Dairy, New Milford for many years. He was also State Representative of the 67th District from 1973 to 1985.
A resident of New Milford since 1927, Mr. Conn was very involved in community and political activities. During his active years, he was director, Weantinoge Heritage; chairman, Harrybrooke Park Board; member, New Milford Republican Town Committee; member, Sunny Valley Preserve; vice president, New Milford Jaycees, Charter Member, president, New Milford Lions Club; director and secretary, United Fund and Council; member, Visiting Nurse Association; chairman, Salvation Army Service Unit; Noble Grand, Odd Fellows Lodge; member, New Milford Sewer Commission; director, Litchfield County Farm Bureau; treasurer, Republican Town Committee, New Milford; member, New Milford Hospital Board; member and president, Lake Waramaug Country Club; member, Advisory Board of Connecticut National Bank; and Corporator of New Milford Savings Bank.
During his twelve years as a member of the Connecticut General Assembly, he was ranking member of the Human Services and General Law Committee. He also served as a member of the Finance, Insurance, Judiciary, Transportation, Legislative Management, Appropriations, and Humane Institutions Committees.
Mr. Conn was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Church, New Milford.
In addition to his wife of 60 years, he is survived by two daughters, Suzanne Saggese and her husband, Vincent, of Southbury and Sarah Herring and her husband, Raymond, of New Milford; a daughter-in-law, Joan Conn, of New Milford; two brothers, Harvey E. Conn, of Florida, and Kenneth W. Conn, of Warren; a sister, Ruby G. Holloway, of Washington, Ct.; six grandsons: Ryan Conn, Christopher Herring, Patrick Herring, Matthew Herring, Timothy Herring, and Vincent Saggese; two granddaughters: Shannon Spada and Lauren Herring; and six great-grandchildren: Andrew, C.J., Madison, Connor, Riley, and Nicholas. Mr. Conn was predeceased by a son, W. Timothy Conn, and two sisters, Sylvia E. Hahn and Hazel M. Spedding.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 1, 2007 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lakes Church, New Milford. Burial will follow at Center Cemetery, New Milford. Friends may call at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge Street, New Milford, Friday, August 31, 2007 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Contributions in his memory may be made to John Pettibone Memorial Scholarship Fund, Our Lady of the Lakes Church, New Milford Visiting Nurse Association, or New Milford Ambulance Association.