P. Michael Lahan

Michael Lahan, who lived in Norwich for more than 50 years, where he raised a family, built a respected law practice, served on countless boards and became a pillar of the community, has died. He was 78. 

Michael was known in the area for his magnetic personality, insatiable curiosity, wry sense of humor and ability to talk to anyone. He found other people endlessly interesting, and loved to hear and tell stories, especially if they were funny. 

Many initially met Michael through his law practice, where he focused on wills and estates. Articulate, fair-minded, easy going, his counsel was soon sought in the community on a range of issues that ran far afield from estate law. He served on a long list of boards and other advisory positions, including Chelsea Groton Savings Bank; the New England Commission of Higher Education; Reliance Health; the YMCA; the Norwich Free Academy; and the Norwich Cemetery Association, among others. In 2000, he was named Citizen of the Year.  

He was proud to have been married to his wife, Carol, for 52 years. He cherished their daughters, Amanda Lahan (Brian Faler) of Washington D.C. and Melissa Fitzpatrick (Daniel) of Derry, New Hampshire. And he doted on his five grandchildren – to whom he was always “Grandfather,” a humorous reference to a character in the old ‘Heidi’ movie. 

Patrick Michael Lahan was born in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1944 to John and Patricia (Finn) Lahan. 

No one called him Patrick, except the grandfather for whom he was named, and nor did anyone call him “Mike” other than his siblings. He was the second oldest of five children – John Lahan (Nadine), Brian Lahan, MaryGail Lahan and Tricia Knightly (Vincent) – all of whom survive him.  

Michael went to Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, MA, where he was on the debate team, active in theater and in the National Honor Society. After graduating from Boston College, he went to law school at the University of Connecticut, where he was editor of the Law Review and graduated with high honors. 

While in school he met Carol Mercer, in 1969, and they were married in 1971, shortly before he was shipped off to the Vietnam War. 

He returned to Norwich to resume a legal practice that would eventually span more than five decades. He was a firm believer that everyone – especially people with children – needs a will. 

Calling hours will be held at Cummings - Gagne Funeral Home on Thursday, July 27th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.  The funeral will be on Friday, July 28th at 10:00am at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the ECHO Cancer Foundation, 330 Washington St, Norwich, CT.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of P. Michael Lahan, please visit our floral store.