John M. Creane, 75, of Milford, beloved father and firebrand attorney, passed away at home on September 29, 2016. Born on May 30, 1941 in Holyoke, MA he was a graduate of Holyoke High School ‘59, Brown University ’63 and Georgetown University ‘69 (J.D.) before beginning his career at Legal Services in Bridgeport, CT as one of the first Reginald H. Smith Community Lawyer Fellows (“Reggies”). The son of hardworking Irish immigrants, the late William and Josephine (Sheehy) Creane, his career was guided by an innate thirst for social and legal justice, and spent tirelessly defending workers’ rights. Alongside his son, Kevin A. Creane, and New London mayor, Michael J. Passero, John provided counsel to labor unions for educators, firefighters, state employees and health care workers, and to the Benefit Funds of SEIU/1199 New England. Known for his exceptional oratory skills, he won numerous arbitrations regarding fair labor practice, and significant cases at the state and federal level, including litigation of the New England Health Care Employees Union vs. Gov. John Rowland (2002) and the U.S. Supreme Court unemployment rights case of Fusari v. Steinberg (1975), and remained in active practice until his sudden passing.
John had a dry and wicked wit, read voraciously, wrote persuasively, and loved to golf, but all other passions paled to the joy he took in his family. Predeceased by his brothers, William and James and his sister Ellen, he is survived by his brother, Francis Creane and wife Ellen of Guilford, CT. He leaves four children, Dr. Lisa Hayden and husband Mark, Atty. Kevin Creane and wife Kathy, Michael Creane and fiancé Kelly Perez, and Jessica Creane, all of Milford; grandchildren, Caitlin, Ryan, Dante, Sheyanne, William, Christopher, Ciara, Conor, Elizabeth and Mia; great-grandchildren, Ava and Grayson; numerous nieces and nephews, and a great number of friends. He will be remembered and missed forevermore.
A Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the CODY-WHITE FUNERAL HOME, 107 Broad St., Milford, CT. Interment will be private. Friends and family may call on Monday, October 3, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.codywhitefuneralservice.com.