Harry Connick Sr.

1926 - 2024

Harry Connick, Sr., born Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, died peacefully in his home on January 25, 2024. He was 97. His wife, Londa, and his children, Suzanna and Harry, Jr. were by his side. Born in Mobile, Alabama on March 27, 1926 to James Paul Connick and Jessie Fowler Connick, he grew up in New Orleans on Plum Street with his seven siblings, Jimmy, Johnny, Mary, Paul, Jessie, Billy, and Michael, parents Jim and Jessie, and grandfather, John William Connick. He was named Joseph because of his March birthday, March being the month of St. Joseph, and Harry Fowler after his maternal grandfather, Harry Fowler. Everyone loved Harry's incredible stories of growing up uptown on Plum Street and attending Mater Dolorosa School and, even more exciting, occasionally skipping high school classes at Warren Easton to watch his crush, Miriam, a showgirl, dance in the burlesque show at the Casino de Paris at the St Charles Theater. Life was hard for the Connicks during the Great Depression - no abundance of food, no heat or air conditioning in the house, only one bathroom upstairs - but Harry often spoke of how exciting and wholesome life was as a result of the family's deep love for one another and their strong Catholic faith. In 1938, the Connick family moved to 5835 West End Boulevard in Lakeview, where Harry attended St. Dominic's school on Harrison Avenue. The stories of growing up in Lakeview were a joy to hear. Convincing passing barges to toss watermelons as Harry and his siblings and friends swam in the New Basin Canal, mistakenly using olive oil instead of hair oil at a middle school dance at St. Dominic, sleeping head to toe with his brothers to keep warm during the cold winter nights on the sleeping porch, his father's seltzer water fights at Jack Huber's Bar, his mother's unflinching confrontation with a gang of bullies in the school yard… Anyone who knew Harry was blessed to hear these incredible stories. We lived for them. Harry joined the Navy in 1945 and served in the South Pacific during World War II. He served on the USS Lander in the Pacific Theater as well as drove an LCVP - Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel. The LCVP was also called a "Higgins Boat", built in New Orleans and used for amphibious landings. After returning home, his adventures continued. He once hitchhiked from New Orleans to Mexico City to attend a school for bullfighting. He eventually took a job with the Army Corps of Engineers in the early 1950s building an Air Force base in Nouasseur, Morocco. This is where he met Anita-Francis Livingston in June of 1951, with whom he eloped in 1953. After being married by a Baptist Missionary in Tangier and honeymooning in Casablanca, Harry and Anita moved back to New Orleans and opened Studio A Records on Harrison Avenue, a small record store where they worked to earn money to put themselves through school. Harry was a buyer, purchasing wholesale albums from local distributors that Anita would then sell in the store. For much of this time, Harry, who was recovering from tuberculosis, would rest on a cot behind a curtain in the back of the store while Anita worked in front. After attending Loyola and eventually Tulane Law School, Harry took a job as an assistant U.S. Attorney. In 1969, he ran for the office of District Attorney of Orleans Parish, losing the election to Jim Garrison. Not to be denied, he ran again in 1973, defeating Jim Garrison by 2221 votes. At 48 years old, he became District Attorney in 1974 and served for nearly 30 years, innovating the office in the process. During his tenure, he established and implemented numerous ground-breaking programs, including the Diversion Program, (a program created to remove young, first-time offenders from the criminal justice system and correct the problem that caused them to be there), the Victim Witness Assistance Program, Plea Bargaining Policy, Case Screening Policy, Consumer Protection Unit, Child Support Enforcement Division, full-time Assistant District Attorneys, among many others. In addition to being a revolutionary DA, Harry was an avid fan of music, specifically the Great American Songbook. He always sang around the house. "Up A Lazy River", by Hoagy Carmichael was a particular favorite, but his song of choice could have been any from his encyclopedic knowledge of the repertoire of anyone from Johnny Mercer to Rodgers and Hart. Anyone who knew Harry was more than familiar with his tendency to stop mid-walk, put out his hands and start singing and tap dancing. Those of us lucky enough to be in his orbit couldn't help but smile at the sound of his voice and warmth of his charm. Fulfilling his childhood dreams of performing, he took up singing in the early 1990s. After many successful guest appearances with his son, Harry, Jr., he became a regular performer in nightclubs and theaters both in New Orleans and across the United States. He made appearances on records and television shows as well as recording two albums with his own band. Harry met and fell in love with Londa Jean Matherne in 1990. They were married in Ireland at Holy Cross Abbey in Tipperary County, Ireland in 1995. Harry loved Londa deeply, and he couldn't have had a more caring or devoted wife. Harry's wish of Londa's being loved and cared for after his death is easily fulfilled, as she is a hugely important part of the Connick family. Harry Connick, Sr. was a New Orleans legend, beloved by generations and heralded as the greatest District Attorney in New Orleans history. He loved family, politics, cigars, martinis, Saints games, the color yellow, high-collared shirts, cooking, singing, dancing and reading. LSU games and Red Sox games. He was a devout Catholic with unshakeable faith and an unwavering moral compass. He dedicated the latter part of his life to studying The Holy Spirit and writing "The Spiritual Mysteries", a prayer and set of guidelines for better understanding the Holy Trinity. The Spiritual Mysteries have the Imprimatur of the Church, a marvelous testament to Harry's hard work and deep theological insight. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Londa, daughter Dr. Suzanna Jamison, son-in-law Wyn, son Harry Connick, Jr., daughter-in-law Jill, and four granddaughters, Lauren, Georgia, Kate and Charlotte, as well as a legion of loving family and friends. He will be deeply missed, but all who knew him were well aware that his greatest desire was to spend eternity with God in heaven. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 775 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, Louisiana 70124 beginning at 12:00 pm followed by a Funeral Mass at 2:00 pm. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, Harry requested that donations be made to the Harry and Anita Connick Endowed Scholarship Fund at Tulane Law School. Donations are also welcome at the Notre Dame Seminary.