Bernard J. Leddy Explained

Bernard J. Leddy
Office:Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont
Term Start:1969
Term End:1972
Predecessor:Ernest W. Gibson Jr.
Successor:James Stuart Holden
Office1:Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont
Term Start1:August 25, 1966
Term End1:January 9, 1972
Appointer1:Lyndon B. Johnson
Predecessor1:Seat established by 80 Stat. 75
Successor1:Albert Wheeler Coffrin
Office2:Member of the Burlington Board of Aldermen from Ward 4
Term Start2:April 1, 1935
Term End2:November 9, 1940
Predecessor2:Francis D. Foley
Successor2:John Edward Moran
Birth Name:Bernard Joseph Leddy
Birth Date:18 March 1910
Birth Place:Underhill, Vermont, US
Death Place:Burlington, Vermont, US
Resting Place:Resurrection Park Cemetery
South Burlington, Vermont, US
Party:Democratic
Spouse:Johannah (Mahoney) Leddy (m. 1939-1972, his death)
Relations:T. J. Donovan (grandson)
Children:5 (including James P. Leddy and Johannah Leddy Donovan
Education:Saint Michael's College (AB)
Boston College (LLB)
Profession:Attorney

Bernard Joseph Leddy (March 18, 1910 – January 9, 1972) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont.

Education and career

Leddy was born in Underhill, Vermont on March 18, 1910, a son of John T. Leddy and Anna (Marlow) Leddy.[1] [2] [3] Leddy was educated in the parochial schools of Underhill and Burlington, and was a 1927 graduate of Burlington's Cathedral High School.[4] He received his Artium Baccalaureus degree from Saint Michael's College in 1931, and his Bachelor of Laws from Boston College Law School in 1934.[1] He was a Burlington alderman from 1935 to 1940.[1] He was an Assistant United States Attorney for Vermont from 1940 to 1954.[1]

In 1946, Leddy was named chair of the Burlington Zoning Commission.[5] In 1955, he was elected chair of the Saint Michael's College board of trustees.[6] In 1956, he was elected chair of the Chittenden County Bar Association.[7] Leddy was a civilian aide for the United States Secretary of the Army from 1962 to 1966.

Gubernatorial campaign

Leddy was the 1958 Democratic nominee for Governor of Vermont.[1] At a time when Vermont was overwhelmingly Republican, Leddy lost to Robert Stafford by only 719 votes (50.3% to 49.7%).[1] Leddy's strong showing in the governor's race, coupled with the win of Democrat William H. Meyer in the election for Vermont's at-large seat in the United States House of Representatives, was an indicator that the state's Democrats were growing in strength after more than 100 years of Republican dominance in statewide elections.[8]

Federal judicial service

Leddy was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 16, 1966, to the United States District Court for the District of Vermont, to a new seat created by 80 Stat. 75. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 25, 1966, and received his commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1969 to 1972. His service was terminated on January 9, 1972, due to his death following a heart attack at his Burlington home.[1] He is buried at Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington.[9]

Family

In 1939, Leddy married Johannah (Mahoney) Leddy.[10] They were the parents of sons John T. and the Reverend James P., and three daughters, Ann, Johannah, and Mary.[10] Johannah was the wife of Thomas Donovan. Ann is the wife of Alan Charron.[10]

Leddy's son James P. Leddy was a member of the Vermont State Senate.[11] His daughter Johannah Leddy Donovan has served in the Vermont House of Representatives since 2001.[11] His grandson T. J. Donovan was the State's Attorney for Chittenden County, Vermont, prior to winning election as Vermont Attorney General in 2016.[11] [12]

Honor

A park in Burlington is named in Leddy's honor.[13]

Notes and References

  1. News: January 11, 1972 . Bernard J. Leddy, Judge in Vermont . . New York . 40 . TimesMachine.
  2. News: February 26, 1909 . Underhill Center: John T. Leddy and Miss Anna M. Marlow Were Married . . Burlington, VT . 9 . Newspapers.com.
  3. News: November 6, 1930 . Hold Funeral for Mrs. John T. Leddy . . Burlington, VT . 2 . Newspapers.com.
  4. News: September 10, 1927 . Many C.H.S. Pupils Going to College . . Burlington, VT . 7 . Newspapers.com.
  5. News: July 2, 1946 . Ordinance Outlined at Meeting of City Zoning Committee . Burlington Daily News . Burlington, VT . 8-B . Newspapers.com.
  6. News: June 14, 1955 . Atty. Leddy Elected Chairman of SMC Board of Trustees . Burlington Daily News . Burlington, VT . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  7. News: March 7, 1956 . Club and Fraternal: Bernard J. Leddy Heads County Bar Association . . Burlington, VT . 13 . Newspapers.com.
  8. News: Bushnell . Mark . January 16, 2005 . William Meyer: War foe, Democratic trailblazer . . Barre, VT.
  9. News: January 11, 1972 . Death Notice Bernard J. Leddy . . Boston, MA . 35 . Newspapers.com.
  10. Book: The Bicentennial Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States . 1983 . Judges of the United States . Washington, DC . US Government Printing Office . 289–290 . Google Books.
  11. News: Bromage . Andy . May 23, 2012 . It's a Families Affair: The Genealogy of AG Candidates Bill Sorrell and T.J. Donovan . Vermont Seven Days . Burlington, VT.
  12. News: Meyn . Colin . October 25, 2018 . TJ Donovan: A Burlington boy runs for a second term, and second chances . VT Digger . Montpelier, VT.
  13. http://enjoyburlington.com/parks/leddypark1.cfm Enjoy Burlington: Leddy Park information page