Recognizing the Career of William St. Onge

Floor Speech

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Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of Attorney William ``Bill'' H. St. Onge after fifty years in the legal profession. Bill recently announced his retirement from a busy smalltown practice that ethically and capably represented thousands of individuals and families, sometimes at moments of crisis. Despite that demanding schedule he still found time to elevate the profession as an active member of the Connecticut Bar Association, and completed a distinguished stint serving his conununity as the First Selectmen of Putnam. Throughout his years, Bill has been a shining example of professionalism, compassion, and service to those around him. His retirement is one that is well-deserved.

Bill's family has a long history of public service most notably his father Congressman William St. Onge, who served the Second district of eastern Connecticut from 1963 to 1970 with great success. That example certainly rubbed off on Bill Junior who has been a life-long contributor to the local community in northeastern Connecticut and someone who avidly followed world and national politics. I have always particularly enjoyed when Bill would share stories about his father as well as his shrewd understanding of public affairs.

Bill was a graduate of Georgetown University and continued his education by attending the University of Connecticut Law School. Upon obtaining his JD in 1974, Bill went on to practice law through to his retirement. As I mentioned earlier, that while fresh in the field of practice, Bill wasted no time in running for and serving as First Selectman of Putnam, which he did so very successfully for nearly a decade.

Even after leading his town as First Selectman, Bill remained a constant in the community and utilized his expertise to give back to his neighbors. Providing a form of accessible representation for fellow towns like Killingly and Thompson, Bill ran a highly successful small- town practice for probate, municipal, and real estate law. As the local lawyer, he sought to continuously improve upon the services available to those in the area, taking the initiative to serve on the Connecticut Bar Association's Task Force on the Future of Probate Court. He was also a staple at town meetings and local proceedings, providing legal advice and often cooling local issues of passion to the respectful, personable tone that they deserved. His thoughtful nature as a practicing lawyer always kept the town discussion purposeful and productive. As someone who practiced law for 27 years in nearby Tolland County, I did have the opportunity to work with Bill on real estate closings and an occasional civil matter. He was a true gentleman--very pragmatic, down to earth and cordial in all his dealings--kind of a modem-day Atticus Finch.

Madam Speaker, Attorney St. Onge's passion for his home was a predominant presence throughout his life and career. His wife and children, Jane, Will and Caroline as well as his grandchildren and his many friends in Connecticut can attest to his caring, thoughtful approach to all he came into contact with. Although his long career is coming to an end, his family legacy of passion and work for his home will unquestionably go on to reverberate throughout the Town of Putnam and beyond for years to come. I can only hope that the example of his service is carried on and that hope he enjoys a fruitful retirement with his wife, children and grandchildren. To that end, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in honoring and congratulating Attorney St. Onge for his dedication to the public and nearly 50-year exceptional career.

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