William A. O'Neill, the one-time tavern owner and small-town Democrat who became the longest-serving Connecticut governor in nearly 200 years, died Saturday afternoon at his home in East Hampton. He was 77.
After weeks of nursing-home and hospital care for complications from his chronic emphysema, O'Neill returned home Monday under the care of hospice nurses. His wife, Nikki, who married him 45 years ago, notified Gov. M. Jodi Rell of his death.
The death was announced by Rell's office.
"Bill O'Neill was one of the titans of Connecticut politics," Rell said. "No description of him would be complete without the words 'decency' and 'fairness,' and he understood that government must take its lead from the people it serves."
Full Obituary:
http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hcu-woneill-1124,0,3461017.story?coll=hc_tab01_layoutThe last Democratic governor of this state ... RIP Governor O'Neill.