2020 -- H 8179

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LC005559

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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

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

ALBERT G. BRIEN

     Introduced By: Representatives Morin, Shekarchi, Kennedy, Lima, and Phillips

     Date Introduced: December 14, 2020

     Referred To: Placed on the House Consent Calendar

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

G. Brien, a well-respected and lifelong resident of the City of Woonsocket, beloved father of our

friend and former colleague the Honorable Jon Brien and his wife, Nicole, Darlene Brien, and

Jennifer Brien, and the very proud grandfather of Juliana and Gabriella Brien, Kristen Ricciardelli

and Airman 1st Class Chad Ricciardelli; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Woonsocket, Mr. Brien was the son of the late Lodie and Obeline

Brien, the brother of Obeline Plante, and the uncle of Katherine Plante, Matthew Plante, and John

Plante. He was a graduate of Mount Saint Charles Academy and attended Providence College,

earning his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation from Officer

Candidate School, he earned the rank of Second Lieutenant and served our country with honor in

the United States Army; and

     WHEREAS, In 1974, the Honorable Albert Brien was elected to serve in the Rhode

Island House of Representatives from District 62. He was re-elected to five additional terms and

served as the Chairman of the Corporations Committee. Subsequent to his years at the State

House, he was named Director of Finance and Administration for the City of Woonsocket, and

later served as the Director of Human Services. In 2007, he was named Director of Human

Services and Administrative Aide, and in 2011, was elected to the Woonsocket City Council,

where he served as Council President until 2016; and

     WHEREAS, With decades of service to the people of Woonsocket and “a legendary

memory and a personal library of historical documents, legislation, and maps,” Mr. Brien had

accumulated a wealth of knowledge about his beloved city and was happy to share his

knowledge, helping all who asked; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Brien had a deep and abiding love for animals and would

frequently feed stray animals, including birds, squirrels, groundhogs, and even skunks. He was

also known to often transport stray animals to the Northern Rhode Island Animal Hospital to be

spayed or neutered at his own expense; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Brien’s extended family included his beloved companions, Princess,

Kelly, and most recently, a German Shepherd aptly named “The Big Guy” who he would often

take for rides around town in his vintage Mercury Colony Park beach wagon; and

     WHEREAS, Albert Brien left an indelible legacy in the City of Woonsocket and he will

be dearly missed by all who loved him and by the many people he helped throughout the years;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, This House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby extends

its deepest condolences to the Brien Family on the passing of Albert G. Brien; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Jon Brien, Darlene Brien, and

Jennifer Brien.

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LC005559

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