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John Mongillo Jr.

John Mongillo Jr. was an extraordinary newsman.  Following his father, John Sr. who was also a news photographer, he shot photos of most major news events in Connecticut during a 40-year career.  Hurricane Gloria, the collapse of the Mianus River Bridge, the Stratford Toll Plaza fire are a few examples.  He seemed to be everywhere at once.

His contacts were legendary.  He knew everyone from beat cops, to major public officials, to regular citizens.  And they all called John with stories. He often was at crime scenes before any other reporter or photographer, and in 1980 was credited with negotiating a hostage situation at the East Street branch of the former First Bank in New Haven when a would-be robber wanted to relay his demands through the media. As a result, Mongillo received the police chief’s Citizen Meritorious Service Award.

Former New Haven Register Editor Jack Kramer, who worked with Mongillo for about 30 years, said, “Nobody was more plugged in, nobody knew more cops or firefighters, nobody was faster with information than John Mongillo. He made sure we had the most up-to-date and best information and photographs.”

He also shot thousands of images of less well-known stories and portraits of everyday people in the news.

Mongillo worked at the New Haven Register for 30 years and then became a free lancer.  He provided still pictures and video to news outlets around the state and beyond for the rest of his life.  He was only 64 when he died.

John Mongillo Jr. was the complete news photographer.  We are proud to induct him into the Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame.

Meet Cindy Simoneau

Cindy Simoneau is the immediate past president of our chapter. She is an associate professor of Journalism at Southern Connecticut State University.

She is the former assistant managing editor of the Connecticut Post where she is currently a consulting editor and internship coordinator. She is in her 15th year as adviser to CTTeens, the only high school newspaper journalism project in Connecticut.

She was editor of the daily “Woman Wise” section and a bureau chief reporter at the Post before that. After receiving a B.A. degree at the University of Rhode Island, Simoneau began her career as a reporter for the Newtown Bee. She is a freelance writer and editor. For news writing she has received the Society of Professional Journalists’ regional award. She has been an active member of the Connecticut SPJ chapter, she is currently serving as immediate past president and was a longtime treasurer and member of the Board of Directors since 1983.

You may reach her at csimoneau@ctspj.org.

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CT Journalism Hall of Fame: Pat Child

Pat Child was a news photographer for New Haven’s WTNH-TV, CH. 8 for almost 40 years.

He covered most major news stories in the state during his remarkable career.

Child worked with dozens of reporters over his many years, often knowing as much or more about the personalities and the politics as they did.

Child knew the state of Connecticut extraordinarily well. He guided many young reporters and videographers toward more complete coverage of events. 

His brother, Bob, also a news photographer, worked for the Associated Press.  When an important news event occurred members of the press referred to it as a “two Child” story because both would be at the scene.

Pat covered everything.  Hurricanes, blizzards, political conventions and day-to-day news stories.  He retired, moved to Florida and died in 2004 at the age of 69.