Connie died peacefully Dec. 26, 2011, at home in New York City. He was 81.
A prominent New York environmental attorney and senior government official deeply involved in civic and charitable organizations, Connie graduated from Princeton as a geological engineering major before serving as an Army lieutenant in Korea, where he received a Bronze Star for meritorious service.
Connie earned his law degree from Columbia in 1957. After several years in private practice he entered government under New York Mayor John V. Lindsay, eventually serving as administrator of a new transportation “super agency.” His government service also included 15 years on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board and four years as Region 2 administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the administration of President George H.W. Bush, where he successfully advocated an innovative watershed-protection plan that has allowed New York City to avoid building a multibillion-dollar drinking water-filtration plant.
Connie was active throughout his life in many charitable causes, including Princeton, and at his death was board chairman of Audubon New York.
He is survived by Anne, his wife of 54 years; his sister, Anne S. Eristoff; children Simon ’80, Elizabeth, and Andrew ’85 and their spouses; and eight grandchildren.