2012 -- S 2265

=======

LC00957

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

____________

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING PROFOUND SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE J.

JOSEPH GARRAHY

     Introduced By: Senators Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, Goodwin, Sheehan, and Algiere

     Date Introduced: January 31, 2012

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

1-1

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of The

1-2

Honorable J. Joseph Garrahy, a true gentleman, who served the people of our state with honor

1-3

and integrity as the 69th Governor of the State of Rhode Island; and

1-4

     WHEREAS, J. Joseph Garrahy was born on November 26th of 1930 in the City of

1-5

Providence. He was the son of Irish immigrants who instilled him with the qualities of honesty,

1-6

good manners, and a tremendous work ethic from a very early age; and

1-7

     WHEREAS, With money earned from his paper route, Governor Garrahy attended

1-8

LaSalle Academy. He took evening courses at the University of Rhode Island and also attended

1-9

the University of Buffalo. Years later, he proudly received an honorary degree from Salve

1-10

Regina College for his leadership in the areas of health, education, and youth; and

1-11

     WHEREAS, In the 1950s, Governor Garrahy served as a full-time member of the Air

1-12

National Guard and later served as a staff sergeant in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict.

1-13

Upon completion of his military service, he married Margherite DiPietro and over the succeeding

1-14

years, the couple had five children; and

1-15

     WHEREAS, The Honorable J. Joseph Garrahy was elected by the people of Providence

1-16

to the Rhode Island Senate in 1963. He quickly earned a reputation for being a fair and open

1-17

leader and served as Deputy Majority Leader and also as the Democratic State Chairman. In

1-18

1968, he was elected by the people of Rhode Island to serve as the state’s 61st Lieutenant

1-19

Governor, and in 1976, he was elected Governor of our state and was subsequently reelected in

1-20

1978, 1980, and 1982; and

2-1

     WHEREAS, A man of great compassion and humility, The Honorable J. Joseph

2-2

Garrahy was without doubt one of the most beloved governors in Rhode Island’s history.

2-3

Confronted with an almost insurmountable challenge during the infamous blizzard of 1978,

2-4

then-Governor Garrahy’s plaid flannel shirt became synonymous with dedication and a

2-5

symbol for the kind of hands-on style of leadership that was a hallmark of his administration;

2-6

and

2-7

     WHEREAS, Governor Garrahy is credited with myriad humane, economic, and

2-8

environmental accomplishments, including restructuring the state’s prison system and the

2-9

Ladd School, initiating steps to stop pollution of Narragansett Bay, presiding over

2-10

development of the Greenhouse Compact, and endeavoring to bring additional businesses

2-11

into the state; and

2-12

     WHEREAS, After leaving office, Governor Garrahy continued to shape and influence

2-13

a brighter future for the Ocean State with his involvement in a panoply of organizations. He

2-14

was also employed as a business consultant and served on the board of the Southeastern New

2-15

England Shipbuilding Corp. and the Providence and Worcester Railroad Co.; and

2-16

     WHEREAS, In addition to his loving wife of more than five and a half decades,

2-17

Margherite, Governor Garrahy was the beloved father and supportive father-in-law to Colleen

2-18

Mahoney and her husband, Michael, John Garrahy and his wife, Barbara, Maribeth Hardman and

2-19

her husband, Robert, Sheila Mitchell and her husband, Gregory, and Seana Edwards and her

2-20

husband, Michael. He was also the very proud “poppy” to eleven grandchildren; and

2-21

      WHEREAS, There is little doubt that The Honorable J. Joseph Garrahy’s compassion

2-22

and work ethic set a standard for excellence in public service that inspired this state. He will

2-23

forever be remembered for his extraordinary leadership and for his deep commitment to serving

2-24

the citizens of the State of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it

2-25

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

2-26

hereby expresses our deepest sympathies to the entire Garrahy Family on the passing of Governor

2-27

J. Joseph Garrahy; and be it further

2-28

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

2-29

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Margherite Garrahy and Family.

=======

LC00957

=======