A husband, father, author, and attorney, Penn believed the voices of children matter. He lived out this belief in his life and work.
Born in Richmond, Va., Penn briefly resided in Jacksonville, Fla. He spent most of his life in Connecticut, with countless summers in Maine, before finding his home in Brooklyn.
Penn graduated from Guilford High School, Gettysburg College, and the University of Wisconsin Law School. He worked as a reporter, teacher, author and attorney. His first book, “Peacerunner,” was published in 2016.
Moving to New Haven in 1971 he was a staff lawyer at the New Haven Legal Assistance Association. He served as department counsel for the New Haven Police Department and was a lecturer at the Yale Child Study Center.
He joined with neighbors to oppose the City of New Haven’s plan to remove the Grand Avenue Bridge. Their efforts saved neighborhoods on both sides of the Quinnipiac River. His advocacy continued throughout his life and led to better outcomes for family, friends, neighbors, and clients. Most recently he was a member of the Voice of Gowanus, advocating for the cleanup of toxic land in his Brooklyn neighborhood.
He worked on political campaigns ranging from local to presidential and believed in the power of uniting to bring change. As an attorney he fought to amplify the voices of those who aren’t often heard.
Music was a constant in Penn’s life: from Bach to Bo Diddley, Dolly Parton, De La Soul, and the King himself, Elvis. Van Morrison’s “Caravan” accompanied Penn at his death.
Penn’s loving family includes: his wife, Maria Hodermarska; children Aaron (Nikkila), Alex (Ailie), Lily (Katherine), Annabel (Brian), and Gabriella (Jesse); their mother Kathleen (d. 2022); stepsons Ethan and Daniel; grandchildren Samuel, Carter, Blake, Perseverance, Honor, Isle, and Elio; siblings Susan, Alice, Victoria, Tony, Rebecca (d. 2019), Will, Andrea and Joanna; and many beloved cousins.