Ralph J. Monaco, the CBA’s 87th president, passed away suddenly on Saturday, July 10. Attorney Monaco served as president during the 2010-2011 bar year, and was, at the time of his service, the second youngest president in the history of the Connecticut Bar Association. Attorney Monaco was a dedicated member of the CBA, leading numerous important initiatives, before, during, and after his service as president. He was a true role model for so many of us within the profession, and always exhibited the highest levels of professionalism and civility.
Attorney Monaco’s record of service and leadership to our profession is truly inspiring. He was always willing to answer the call to service, and led highly effective CBA initiatives focused on the most pressing issues of our times. Attorney Monaco was a champion of civics education, founding the Civics Education Committee and continuing to serve as a co-chair and member for many years thereafter. Most recently, he served as co-chair of the Rule of Law Committee, which held its fourth Rule of Law Conference on June 28, and the Financial Impact on the Legal Profession Subcommittee of the COVID-19 Task Force, which provided much-needed information, resources, and advocacy for the profession at the height of the pandemic. Attorney Monaco served as chair of the Modernizing Lawyer Referrals & Law Firm Models Subcommittee of the State of the Legal Profession Task Force; as well as legislative liaison of the Litigation Section. He previously served as chair of the Opioid Taskforce, as a member of the House of Delegates and Board of Governors, and as chair of the Young Lawyers Section.
As a partner at Conway Londregan Sheehan & Monaco PC, Attorney Monaco practiced in civil and commercial litigation, with an emphasis in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, medical malpractice, insurance litigation, municipal litigation, and workers' compensation. He was a Board Certified Trial Lawyer and had extensive experience with jury and court trials in both federal and state court.
He served on the Jury Committee of the Chief Justice's Public Safety and Trust Commission and was appointed by Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise W. Merrill to serve on the Civics Commission. He was an active member of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Connecticut Bar Foundation, and New London County Bar Association.
Attorney Monaco’s sudden passing is a deep loss to our profession and to our community, and we will miss his wise counsel, his thoughtful and impactful leadership, and his warm and reassuring presence. He is survived by his wife, Dina, and two daughters, Abby and Anna. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 15 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Robinson Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main St. in Centerbrook. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 16 at 11.30 a.m. at St John Roman Catholic Church, 161 Main St. in Old Saybrook.
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