[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 22, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF THOMAS H. DOOLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 22, 2019

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of 
Thomas H. Dooley, a prominent attorney and businessman from Vernon, CT, 
who passed away on January 6, 2019.
  Born in 1934 to Lawrence and Lauretta Dooley, Tom was raised in 
Middletown, New York and graduated from Clarkson University in 1956 
with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He 
subsequently joined the U.S. Army, serving his country for two years 
before beginning his career with the Connecticut General Life Insurance 
Company as an assistant claims examiner. Soon thereafter Tom enrolled 
at UCONN School of Law where he was editor of the UCONN Law Review and 
a Starr Fellow. Tom graduated in 1964 and became a partner at Flaherty 
& Dooley Law Firm. Tom eventually returned to Connecticut General Life 
Insurance, this time as an Assistant Counsel in their legal department. 
Eventually he moved into a management position becoming Second Vice 
President of Group Insurance Operations. Then, in 1985 he became 
Executive Vice President of CIGNA and President of Connecticut General.
  Tom did not slow down after his retirement in 1992. He became 
Executive-in-Residence at the University of Hartford and taught at 
Manchester Community College and Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute 
Graduate Center. He also chaired Connecticut's Citizen's Ethics 
Advisory Board from 2010 to 2011 and was trustee emeritus at his alma 
mater, Clarkson.
  Tom was not just a businessman and attorney; he was also a public 
servant. He was the attorney for the town of Vernon for several years 
as well as a town council member and deputy mayor in our hometown of 
Vernon. He even served in the Connecticut General Assembly from 1970 to 
1974.
  Madam Speaker, on a personal note, I had the privilege of knowing Tom 
Dooley for many years since I practiced law with his former partner Leo 
Flaherty for over twenty years. Leo and Tom remained good friends after 
Tom left their partnership and because he was such a talented lawyer, 
all of us in the firm frequently looked to him for advice on thorny 
legal issues, for which he was happy to provide well-thought out and 
sound advice. Tom's two terms in the Connecticut General Assembly from 
Vernon's 56th Assembly District preceded my own election to that seat 
which I held from 1986 to 1994. I can attest to the fact that his 
outstanding legacy and reputation at the state Capitol still resonated 
years after his departure. His record of ethics and professionalism in 
the practice of law and public service in the political arena is an 
example that all should emulate.
  Lastly his devotion to his beloved wife Antoinette and all their 
children and grandchildren who are leading successful lives is another 
life achievement that will ensure his memory will live on. Tom Dooley 
made eastern Connecticut a better place, and we are all better off 
because of him. I ask my colleagues to please join me in honoring Tom's 
life and memory and expressing our deepest sympathies for his family 
and friends.

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