Friends, family recall 'colorful' Judge Edward V. Gannon

Friends, colleagues and family reminisced Wednesday about the late Superior Court Judge Edward V. Gannon's zest for life, loyalty and fatherly interest in getting juvenile delinquents back on track to law-abiding lives.

Gannon, 63, suffered a severe head injury when he fell backward off a step outside a deli in Boonton on Friday.  His younger brother, James Gannon -- a recently declared candidate for Morris County sheriff -- said the judge was on a ventilator at Morristown Medical Center until a painful family decision was made Tuesday to discontinue life support.

"We're lucky to have loved him and to be loved by him," James Gannon said.

"He died surrounded by his loving family and the Gannon family would like to thank everyone for the love and support we have received," Gannon said, adding that the family doesn't know whether there was a medical reason for the fall.

W. Michael Murphy Jr., who was Gannon's law partner before Murphy was tapped to be Morris County prosecutor in 1990, said the late jurist was like a brother to him. Gannon was appointed to the Superior Court bench in 1991 and served in Sussex, Morris and Passaic counties for the past 25 years, handling family, civil and criminal matters but his specialty seemed to be juvenile cases.

Murphy said that he and Gannon were the two speakers 20 months ago at the funeral for Murphy's brother, Tim.

"He was a dear friend and virtually a member of the family. Ed came to all our parties and weddings.  I take some comfort, intuitively knowing that he and my brother Tim will be reunited," Murphy said.

In the 1990's in Morris County, Gannon had oversight over the Probation Assisted Supervised Sanctions program -- called PASS -- which was a manual labor program for juvenile delinquents who worked at clearing land, graffiti removal, roadside litter cleanups and helping at the Morris County Food Bank among other chores

"He was especially good at problem cases in juvenile court and was always looking for solutions on how to redirect juveniles" (away from crime)," said friend and attorney John Iaciofano.

"I enjoyed Ed very much. He was very loyal to his family and friends and was extremely bright. He was a funny, bright and colorful guy, a great person," said Iaciofano.

Gannon did enjoy life and spending time with his two sons, Rory and Mike, and his brothers, James and Kevin. Family outings included trips to see the Knicks, bobsledding at Lake Placid, skeet-shooting and meals with lots of singing of Irish ballads. James Gannon said the family is preparing for its annual St. Patrick's Day party in March.

"Eddie will be there, just not in person," he said. One of his brother's thoughtful attributes, he said, was finding and giving items to people that he thought would spark delight -- like an old Boy Scout medal he came across and thought would have sentimental value to a particular person.

The judge often ended a summer day on the bench in Sussex County with a swim at the Newton pool and loved to read a variety of subjects but often a novel by one of his favorite authors, Harlan Coben.

A wake will be held Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Codey & Mackey Funeral Home in Boonton. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Boonton.

State Sen. Anthony Bucco said he grew up in Boonton knowing the Gannons and he called the judge a friend who had been instrumental in making the Drug Court program run smoothly when he was assigned to Superior Court in Passaic County.

"I'm very sorry to hear about his passing and it's a sad day for our Judiciary," Bucco said.

Superior Court Assignment Judge Stuart Minkowitz, who heads the Morris-Sussex county court vicinage, said of Gannon: "With over 25 years in the judiciary and having served in each of the three trial divisions, Judge Gannon's work ethic and sense of service to the citizens of Morris, Sussex and Passaic counties, both on and off the bench, was legendary.  He never hesitated to assist his colleagues and provide mentorship.  It is an understatement when I say that he will be sorely missed."

Morris County Administrator John Bonanni became friendly with Judge Gannon when Bonanni was director in the 1990's of the county's Human Services Department, which oversaw the juvenile detention and juvenile shelters.  Showing a special interest in the future of the juvenile justice system, Bonanni said, Gannon, then a family division judge, frequently spent Saturdays at the facilities and sometimes brought along his two young sons.

 Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.