The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE OF RICHARD BANBURY
______
HON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the members of the House to join me in mourning the passing of Richard Banbury, a highly respected attorney, dedicated public servant, loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a cornerstone of the Marlborough community for decades. Richard sadly passed away on December 2, 2021, at the age of 83. He represented the pinnacle of civic and community engagement, leaving behind a legacy of service and commitment to others. His service in the legal and political spheres will be held in high regard by all those he impacted.
A son of Connecticut, Richard was born in Hartford in 1938. He excelled academically, attending Yale University where he graduated with his Bachelor's in Economics in 1960. Upon graduation, Richard remained at Yale to pursue his passion in law, later graduating from Yale Law School in 1963. Immediately, Richard began making an impact within the legal field, serving as the Chair of the Jerome Frank Legal Aid Society in 1963 where he guided the organization in providing legal assistance to those who could not afford private attorneys. He continued this passion into his budding career, serving as a Law Clerk to Associate Justice John P. Cotter, of the Connecticut Supreme Court. As a result of his unwavering dedication to helping others through the law, Richard became a State's Attorney and later Chief Assistant Attorney for Hartford County, where he served for nearly a decade.
Richard's legal career evolved throughout the years, as he began to find new areas in which he could make an impact. Amidst this evolution, Richard was chosen in a highly selective process to become a Guggenheim Fellow at Yale Law School from 1976 through 1977. This respected fellowship allowed Richard to further delve into his legal passions and develop legal academia. Richard's next legal pursuit began with Rome McGuigan, P.C. in Hartford, where he worked as a civil litigator, an arbitrator, and defense counsel. As a defense counsel, Richard represented the Mohegan Tribe and the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority located here in Southeastern Connecticut. Throughout these years, Richard served an additional twenty-five years on the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee as well as thirty years as the Executive Director and Counsel to the Council on Probate Judicial Conduct in Connecticut. Throughout each and every one of his legal endeavors, Richard continuously held himself and the practice of law itself to higher standards of success, improving upon the quality of representation available throughout the region and beyond. On a personal note, I first met Richard at the Hartford Superior Court at 95 Washington Street when I was an intern in the public defender's office in 1978 and had a chance to watch him argue cases before judges and juries. He stood out as a very effective advocate who conveyed a deep grasp of the law and a friendly but very strong persona that connected with his audience. Later, after I passed the bar and encountered him as a young lawyer, he always had an encouraging word in the hallways of the courthouse that I will never forget and still deeply appreciate. Years later, in 2006 he was a staunch supporter of my race for Congress which succeeded by only 83 votes out of 241,000. He was a tireless campaigner and once again, I will be forever grateful to him for his friendship and good counsel.
Richard lived a life of service, actively participating on various town committees in Marlborough and the town's Democratic Town Committee. He used his voice to advocate for the well-being of his community members and for the issues he was passionate about, including through his published editorials in the Hartford Courant. His active engagement transcended politics, and he spent substantial time fostering a community with his graduating class of Yale. He found enjoyment through service and the many pastimes he enjoyed, including swimming in the beautiful Lake Terramuggus. His passion for life was admirable and showcased the wealth and joys of community.
All those who had the pleasure of knowing Richard saw firsthand his tireless work ethic and love of life. He is survived by his wife of twenty-seven years, Nicolette Banbury, six children--Michael, Anthony, Andrea, Jennifer, Samantha, Thomas, and twelve grandchildren. He has left an immeasurable impact on his beloved Marlborough community and the entirety of Eastern Connecticut. I am honored to have known Richard and have felt the impact of his life's work. As a chamber, please join me in sending our deepest condolences to the Banbury family and expressing our greatest respect for Richard's work. Madam Speaker, to that end, I ask that we immortalize the life and legacy of Richard Banbury.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 217
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