BOSTON (AP) – Francis P. O’Connor, a retired Supreme Judicial Court justice who had a reputation as a conservative on a liberal court, died Friday after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 79.
O’Connor, a longtime resident of Shrewsbury, was appointed to the state’s highest court by Gov. Edward King in 1981 and served for 16 years.
O’Connor frequently dissented from the majority on divisive social issues, in one case defending the rights of abortion opponents to protest outside clinics.
“He was all about faith, family and the law,” his daughter, Ellen O’Connor, told The Boston Globe.
In a statement, Gov. Deval Patrick said he was saddened by O’Connor’s death.
“Justice O’Connor served our highest court with honor and distinction for many years and was widely respected and admired for his intellect, his integrity and humanity, and his commitment to the legal community and beyond,” Patrick said.
O’Connor was the father of 10 children and had 30 grandchildren.
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