Harry Connick Jr. is best known for his music, but his dad, Harry Connick Sr., who was also a great singer, was best known as a politician. He was the district attorney in New Orleans for three decades.

Now, Connick Jr.’s publicist has shared the sad news that Connick Sr. has died. In a statement shared with CBS News, the publicist explained that the 97-year-old was at his home in New Orleans at the time of his death. His wife, Londa, and his children Connick Jr and Suzanna, were by his side. No cause of death was mentioned in the statement.

 

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Upon learning the news of Connick Sr.’s death, the current New Orleans district attorney, Jason Williams, released a statement sharing, “Mr. Connick remains the longest tenured District Attorney, serving from 1973-2003. Such a longstanding public servant gives an enormous amount of themselves to their community – as do their families. Our thoughts are with the Connick family during this difficult time.”

Connick Sr. was born in Alabama but has lived in New Orleans since he was 2 years old. He was a Navy veteran, a federal prosecutor and a district attorney. He also encouraged his son to pursue a career in music. He performed at gigs in New Orleans himself. Watch the video below to hear father and son perform together.

In 2012, Connick Sr. defended the decisions he made while he was district attorney by telling The Times-Picayune, “My reputation is based on something other than a case, or two cases or five cases, or one interception or 20 interceptions.” He added, “I have to look at myself and say this is who I am. This is what I’ve done. Perfect? No. But I’ve done nothing to go to confession about in that office. At all.”

Watch the video below to learn more about Harry Connick Sr.’s life and recent death at the age of 97.