2020 -- H 8187

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LC005640

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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 CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF MR. STEVEN JAMES DRAPER

     Introduced By: Representatives Filippi, Kennedy, Lima, Fogarty, and O'Brien

     Date Introduced: December 14, 2020

     Referred To: Placed on the House Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, Mr. Steven Draper passed away on his beloved Block Island on October 30,

2020. He was the devoted husband of Rita K. (Abrams) Draper; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Draper was the son of the late Rita and Jack Draper. Tragedy struck him

early in life when, at the age of five, his mother died in a house fire. He and his sister Laurie were

raised by their grandmother, the late Gertrude Foster. At an early age, Steven learned the

importance of hard work when he helped to support his grandmother and sister, beginning with

his paper route job at the age of nine; and

     WHEREAS, For more than forty-five years, Mr. Draper lived on Block Island, first

working at Ballard’s Beach Resort, then joining the Abrams’ family business, Block Island

Resorts. Steve played a vital role in the successful operations of the 1661 Inn and the Oar

Restaurant, where he supervised construction projects and maintained the large physical plant. He

led by example and no job was beneath him, including, for example, lying on the floor of the

kitchen of the Oar repairing the dishwasher during a dinner-time rush; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Draper also utilized the degree he attained from Pace University by

managing the finances of the business. Also, for twenty-three years, he was an important part of

the Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week, which was headquartered at the Oar Restaurant;

and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Draper was very active in Block Island civic affairs. He served on the

Water Commission, the Sewer Commission, the Chamber of Commerce and the Block Island

Maritime Institute. He also served as a Reserve Police Officer on Block Island for many years.

Additionally, beginning in 1970, he served our nation with honor, integrity and distinction as a

member of the New York National Guard for eight years; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Draper loved spending his winters in Mal Pais, Costa Rica, where he

tended to his gardens, made many lifelong friends, and welcomed visits from his family and

friends; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife Rita, Mr. Draper leaves behind his sons Kyle Draper

and his wife, Terin, Seth Draper and Ross Draper. He also leaves behind his grandchildren

Camryn and Gavin, his sister Laurie Day and her husband, Chet, his brother-in-law Mark Abrams

and his wife, Sonya, and his sister-in-law Susan Kenyon, widow of the late Rick Abrams. He is

also survived by his nephews and nieces, and their families, Kelly Debrocky, Joe Day, Sam

Abrams, Jamie Day, Archie Abrams, Jeff Day, Stanley Abrams, Sydney Abrams, and Philip

Abrams; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode hereby expresses

its deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. Steven James Draper; 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 Rita Draper and Family.

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