2020 -- H 8075

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF IRWIN J. CHASE

     Introduced By: Representatives McLaughlin, Ackerman, Marszalkowski, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with utmost sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Irwin

Chase, beloved husband of Phyllis Chase for 59 wonderful years, devoted father of Michael

Chase and Bradley Chase and his wife, Rebecca, and the doting grandfather of his beautiful

granddaughters Lauren, Madeline, Hannah, and Julia; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Chase was born in Providence, the eldest son of the late Martin and

Helen Chase, the brother of Samuel Chase and his wife, Eszter, Marjorie Torgan and her

husband, Philip, and the brother-in-law of Ruthie Steinberg, and the late L. Saul Alpert and

Edward Steinberg; and

     WHEREAS, At the age of eighteen, after graduating from Hope High School, Mr. Chase

enlisted and served with honor in the United States Army during World War II. His company had

been involved in the liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp, and he was awarded a

Combat Infantryman Badge and a Bronze Star; and

     WHEREAS, Upon his return from service, Mr. Chase graduated from Brown University

and joined his father in the family ribbon-making operation. As the business failed, Mr. Chase

began selling surplus ribbon during the 1952 holiday season and thus began the emergence of the

family’s “new factory store with no frills and attractive discount prices” and in 1953, Ann &

Hope formally opened its doors; and

     WHEREAS, Together, Irwin and his father expanded their business to include five new

department stores. In 2001, with competition from national discount chains, the Chase’s exited

the department store business and once again successfully reinvented the company, opening nine

specialty curtain and bath outlets, five dollar stores, and six garden outlets; and

     WHEREAS, First and foremost devoted to his family, Mr. Chase was also highly

respected for his business acumen and had served on the board of directors of Rhode Island

Hospital Trust Bank and the International Mass Retailing Association. In addition, he was a

Rhode Island Commodore and had been inducted into the RI Heritage Hall of Fame in 2009; and

     WHEREAS, Irwin Chase was a “kind, humble, and generous man” and he will be dearly

missed by all who were fortunate to have been a part of his extraordinary life; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby extends deepest condolences on the passing of Irwin J. Chase.

May his memory be for a blessing; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Phyllis Chase and Family.

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