John T. Clancy
Encyclopedia
John Thomas Clancy also known by his nickname Pat Clancy, was a lawyer, Democratic
politician and surrogate judge
from Queens
, New York City
.
Clancy was born in Long Island City to Patrick and Mary Clancy, both from Limerick, Ireland, in 1903. After graduating from St. Francis Xavier High School
, Clancy received his law degree from Fordham Law School. Prior to holding elected office, he served as the assistant state attorney general from 1939 to 1942, and as special assistant United States Attorney
from 1951 to 1953. He served as president of the Queens Bar Association and the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
In 1955, Clancy failed to secure his party's nomination for borough president
, but in 1959 he was named to serve the remainder of James J. Crisona
's term in that office when Crisona was elected to the state Supreme Court. Clancy won the 1959 special election to complete the remainder of the term, and then won his own term in 1961. Clancy resigned from the office in 1962 after his election that year for Queens Country Surrogate Judge. He served as surrogate judge until July 1971. His career ended controversially, because although he had more than two years left until he would be required by law to step down, he resigned the day after the filing deadline for the party primaries. This cleared the way for his friend and colleague, Louis D. Laurino from the New York Court of Claims
, to succeed him in office.
Following his resignation, Clancy moved to Palm Beach, Florida
, where he died of a stroke in 1985 at the age of 82.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician and surrogate judge
New York Surrogate's Court
The Surrogate's Court handles all probate and estate proceedings in the state of New York. All wills are probated in this court and all estates of people who die without a will are handled in this court...
from Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Clancy was born in Long Island City to Patrick and Mary Clancy, both from Limerick, Ireland, in 1903. After graduating from St. Francis Xavier High School
Xavier High School (New York City)
Xavier High School is a independent Jesuit university-preparatory high school for young men located at 30 West 16th Street, in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It was founded in 1847, as the College of St. Francis Xavier by Father John Larkin, S.J...
, Clancy received his law degree from Fordham Law School. Prior to holding elected office, he served as the assistant state attorney general from 1939 to 1942, and as special assistant United States Attorney
United States Attorney
United States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
from 1951 to 1953. He served as president of the Queens Bar Association and the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
In 1955, Clancy failed to secure his party's nomination for borough president
Borough president
Borough President is an elective office in each of the five boroughs of New York City.-Reasons for establishment:...
, but in 1959 he was named to serve the remainder of James J. Crisona
James J. Crisona
James J. Crisona was a lawyer, Democratic politician and judge from Queens, New York City.Crisona received a law degree from New York University in 1931 and subsequently joined Manhattan firm Crisona Brothers, where he was senior partner from 1945 to 1957.While still practicing law, Crisona won...
's term in that office when Crisona was elected to the state Supreme Court. Clancy won the 1959 special election to complete the remainder of the term, and then won his own term in 1961. Clancy resigned from the office in 1962 after his election that year for Queens Country Surrogate Judge. He served as surrogate judge until July 1971. His career ended controversially, because although he had more than two years left until he would be required by law to step down, he resigned the day after the filing deadline for the party primaries. This cleared the way for his friend and colleague, Louis D. Laurino from the New York Court of Claims
New York Court of Claims
The New York State Court of Claims is the court which handles all claims against the State of New York and certain state agencies. It is not a small claims court. Judges of the Court of Claims are appointed by the Governor of New York and confirmed by the State Senate for a 9-year term...
, to succeed him in office.
Following his resignation, Clancy moved to Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
, where he died of a stroke in 1985 at the age of 82.