Manny Margolis, State Civil Rights Guardian , 1926-2011

Emanuel Margolis, former chairman and legal advisor of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut and a lifelong champion of civil rights, died Wednesday of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at his home in Westport. He was 85.

Margolis was involved with the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union, later renamed the ACLU of Connecticut, from its inception and served on the board for 30 years. He was chairman from 1989 to 1995 and was legal advisor for many years.

"For more than half a century, Manny was a remarkable advocate for civil liberties and justice," said David McGuire, staff attorney for the ACLU-CT. "He was an invaluable mentor, a fierce advocate and kind-hearted person. His teachings, legal work and spirit will continue to inspire future generations."

Margolis worked on many civil rights cases and campaigned tirelessly for peace. He represented fellow protestors of the Vietnam War and more recently attended weekly peace vigils in Westport. His commitment to free speech, even speech he detested, was so unshakeable that he successfully defended the right of the Ku Klux Klan to hold a rally in Meriden in 1981.

"Manny was a tireless fighter for civil liberties and civil rights and showed that an attorney can be both a vigorous advocate and a gentleman," said Andrew Schatz, chairman of the ACLU of Connecticut.

ACLU-CT board member Don Noel, also one of Margolis' successors as board president, remembered him as "not only a great civil libertarian, but a wonderfully warm human being."

Margolis was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was drafted into the Army in 1944, interrupting his studies at the University of North Carolina. He returned in 1946 with a Purple Heart to complete his degree, later earning a Ph.D from Harvard and a J.D. from Yale Law School. He was a partner in the Stamford law firm of Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky. He also taught First Amendment law at the Quinnipiac University School of Law.

He lived in Westport for 46 years with his wife, Estelle. He also leaves five children and 10 grandchildren.

His passionate defense of civil liberties in Connecticut was widely recognized and honored. Among the many awards he received were the Connecticut's Law Tribune's Publisher's Award, the state Supreme Court Law Day Award and the Champion of Liberty award from the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

"We are eternally grateful for Manny's service to the ACLU of Connecticut and his lifelong commitment to civil liberties for all people," said Sandra Staub, legal director of the ACLU of Connecticut. "The best tribute we can imagine is to continue his work as best we can."

The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011, at the Abraham L. Green Funeral Home in Fairfield. Shiva will be at his home, 72 Myrtle Ave., Westport, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. from Friday through Sunday. A memorial service is also planned.

The family has suggested in lieu of flowers a contribution to the ACLU-CT, 330 Main St., Hartford, CT, 06106.

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