| William Atchison O'Neill | |
|---|---|
| Gov. O'Neill greets a young visitor to his office. | |
| 84th Governor of Connecticut | |
| In office December 31, 1980 – January 9, 1991 |
|
| Lieutenant | Joseph J. Fauliso |
| Preceded by | Ella T. Grasso |
| Succeeded by | Lowell P. Weicker |
| 82nd Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut | |
| In office January 3, 1979 – December 31, 1980 |
|
| Governor | Ella T. Grasso |
| Preceded by | Robert Killian |
| Succeeded by | Joseph J. Fauliso |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 11, 1930 Hartford, Connecticut |
| Died | November 24, 2007 (aged 77) East Hampton, Connecticut |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Nikki O'Neill |
| Profession | Legislator |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
William Atchison O'Neill (August 11, 1930 – November 24, 2007) was a twentieth century U.S. political figure, most notably as the 84th Governor of Connecticut from 1980 to 1991.
Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he was elected the 82nd Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut in 1978 on a Democratic ticket along with Governor Ella Grasso. When Grasso resigned for health reasons in December 1980, O'Neill became Governor. O'Neill was elected to a full term in 1982 and re-elected in 1986.
Prior to serving as Lieutenant Governor O'Neill served as the state representative from East Hampton, Connecticut, where he owned a restaurant.
O'Neill benefited from the economic boom Connecticut enjoyed during the 1980s when the state's job growth was at a recent historic peak. The state enjoyed large budget surpluses in this era. His large re-election victory in 1986 over Lowell Weicker ally Julie Belaga had an effect on the state legislature, which gained large majorities of liberal Democrats eager to expand state government, such as House Speaker Irving Stolberg. By 1989 the state's finances were in precarious condition, requiring a major tax increase.
The 1990 recession hit Connecticut very hard, with the real estate, banking and defense industries all faltering with resultant job losses and tax revenue losses. Facing plummeting approval ratings and a budget situation continuing to deteriorate despite the 1989 tax hike, O'Neill decided in early 1990 to bow out of a re-election bid. O'Neill was the last Democrat to serve as governor of Connecticut prior to Dannel Patrick Malloy, who took the oath of office at the William A. O'Neill Armory in Hartford on January 5, 2011.
O'Neill died from emphysema on November 24, 2007 at the age of 77. He was eulogized by his fellow Connecticut politicians as Trumanesque. "I always thought the secret to his success was that he was genuine," said John Droney, who was chairman of the state Democratic party during O'Neill's last term. "He was honest. And he projected the image of an ordinary man called upon to do extraordinary things. He was, in my view, the Harry Truman of Connecticut." [1] Republican state chairman Chris Healy called O'Neill "a good and decent man who served his state and country with distinction."[1]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robert Killian |
Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut 1979-1980 |
Succeeded by Joseph J. Fauliso |
| Preceded by Ella T. Grasso |
Governor of Connecticut 1980—1991 |
Succeeded by Lowell P. Weicker |
|
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