Stephen P. Sachner

Stephen P. (“Skip”) Sachner, 77, died suddenly Friday, February 3 at Waterbury Hospital following a period of declining health, with his family at his side. 

Born October 31, 1939 in Waterbury, he was the son of the late Benjamin Sachner and Emma (Thulin) Sachner.  He spent many of his early years in Bristol and Danbury, raised his family in Meriden, and finally settled in Middlebury in 1986, where he and his wife Nancy chose to move after their children were grown, and where they built their dream home together. 

Skip attended the Wooster School in Danbury and then Princeton University, where he graduated in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in English.  He earned his law degree from New York University in 1964 and went on to be recognized as a distinguished trial attorney – one who was highly respected and esteemed by both judges and lawyers, not only for his exceptional skill in the courtroom, but for his unmatched integrity, honesty and dignity.  He was known as “a true gentleman” by his colleagues, practicing law for over 50 years and dedicating his professional career to defending physicians and hospitals.  He was admitted to the Connecticut State and Federal District Court as well as the United States Supreme Court, and was elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates.  Over the years, he was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America as one of the top malpractice defense lawyers in the State.  He was active in the Connecticut Bar Association, serving as President of the CBA Young Lawyers Section in the early 70s.  Skip also served on the Board of Directors of the Morris Foundation.

He is survived by his beloved wife and sweetheart of nearly 55 years, Nancy D. Sachner, who he met on a blind date while at Princeton; his daughter, Heidi Sachner Dunleavy, and her husband, Brian Dunleavy; his son, S. Peter Sachner, and his wife, Patricia Reilly; his six grandchildren, Walker Sachner, Conor Dunleavy, Leila Sachner, Grace Dunleavy, Kate Reilly Yurkovsky, and Peter Reilly Yurkovsky; his brother-in-law John (Jack) Lauf; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his two sisters, Karin Lauf and Barbara Boyle.

Skip loved books, his book club, crossword puzzles, movies, the ocean, and the Connecticut shore, where he enjoyed many summers with his children and then his grandchildren.  He also enjoyed following his favorite sports teams, especially the Yankees, New York Giants, and UConn Women’s Basketball Team.

A private burial service was held on Monday, February 6.  Memorial donations may be made to The American Cancer Society or The National Kidney Foundation. 

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