For Immediate Release
January 5, 2023
House Leaders Announce the Tragic Loss of Rep. Quentin Williams
Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) and Majority Leader Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford, Manchester) shared that the family of Rep. Quentin “Q” Williams (D-Middletown) has announced his untimely death.
“I am in shock,” Speaker Ritter said. “Q was my dear friend and I am scarred by his sudden loss. We will have time to reflect on Q as a legislator in the weeks to come, but right now I deeply mourn my friend and send all of my love to Carrissa, Queen and Q’s family. We will all miss Q.”
Majority Leader Rojas said, “Rep. Williams was an amazing human being. His infectious smile could instantly make a difficult day better. He was an amazing husband, friend and colleague. He loved community and serving others. Truly - a friend to all who knew him. This is a terrible tragedy and a great loss to our state. My heart goes out to his wife, family, and all who loved Q. We will miss him.
Speaker Ritter and Senate President Martin Looney Thursday canceled legislative meetings and closed the Capitol Complex. They asked any media inquiries for the family to be directed to Sen. Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) who is serving as a spokesperson for the Williams family.
Sen. Lesser said, “Q was a beloved friend and his passing even as I write this is still shocking and unfathomable. He and his family have meant so much to the Middletown community and personally to myself and my family. As a legislator he was a passionate and committed public servant whose intellect and warmth made our state a better place and the General Assembly a better place. He was a trailblazer, the first Black state representative ever elected in Middletown. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Carrissa and his mother Queen and his entire family as they manage the unimaginable."
Information on services will be available in the coming days.
Rep. Williams served the residents of Middletown in the 100th District. He was recently named House Chair of the Labor Committee. He was 39 years old and is survived by his wife, Carrissa Williams.
Rep. Williams was a graduate of Middletown Public Schools, earned a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Bryant University, a Master’s of Public Administration from Villanova University, and a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University. Rep. Williams was pursuing studies at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He was a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Beta Sigma Lambda Chapter, Hartford, CT.