Daniel Spallone, Connecticut judge

DEEP RIVER, Conn. -- Daniel Spallone, a former state Appellate Court judge, died Monday at Middlesex Hospital. He was 85.

He had been in declining health since January, said his son state Representative James Spallone of Essex.

Judge Spallone, who resided in Deep River, worked in the judicial system for nearly 40 years. He was first nominated to the circuit court by Governor John Dempsey in 1960. He was elevated to the Court of Common Pleas by Governor Thomas J. Meskill, and in 1978 was appointed to the Superior Court bench by Governor Ella T. Grasso.

In 1984, he was appointed to the Appellate Court by Governor William A. O'Neill and served on the appeals bench until he retired in 1991.

He continued to work as a trial judge referee until he became ill.

A Waterbury native, Judge Spallone was a student at the University of Connecticut when World War II broke out. He interrupted his college career and joined the American Field Service ambulance corps. He returned to UConn after the war and received a psychology degree. He also earned his law degree from UConn.

He practiced private law in Hartford and later in Old Saybrook. He served as the Deep River town attorney and was a member of several town boards and commissions, including the School Board.

"He was an example of public service and he was a great father," James Spallone said.

In addition to his son, Judge Spallone leaves his wife, former state representative Jeanne Field Spallone; a daughter; another son; a brother; two grandchildren; and a brother.

A public memorial service will be held Sept. 7 in Deep River Congregational Church.