2022 -- H 8199

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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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 GEORGE EDWARD

MCGAW

     Introduced By: Representatives McGaw, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Filippi, Kennedy,
Fellela, Ackerman, Shallcross Smith, Ruggiero, and Henries

     Date Introduced: May 03, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with deepest sympathies that this House has learned of the passing of

George Edward McGaw of Portsmouth; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. McGaw was born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts, the son of

George and Olive McGaw. He graduated from BMC Durfee High School and was a 1955

graduate of Fitchburg Teachers College (now known as Fitchburg University) where he attained a

Bachelor of Science degree in education with a specialization in industrial arts. While in college,

he played basketball, was named team captain, served as president of his fraternity, and most

importantly, met the love of his life, Carolese Burbage. They married in 1956; and

     WHEREAS, After graduation, Mr. McGaw joined the United States Navy and trained to

be a pilot, specializing as a helicopter pilot for carrier landings and antisubmarine detection.

Overall, he served our nation with honor and distinction for ten years, five years in the navy and

five years in the Navy Reserves. He retired from the military with the rank of Lieutenant

Commander; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. McGaw’s first job as a civilian was as a teacher in Fall River, then later

in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. When Portsmouth High School opened in 1963, he became part of

the initial staff and for the next twenty-seven years, until his retirement in 1990, he taught

industrial arts and made a positive impact on the lives of the students who were blessed to have

him as a teacher. He also served as the first athletic director of Portsmouth High School, and was

one of the inaugural honorees in the Portsmouth Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. McGaw was also a talented home builder who, while teaching, designed

and constructed the family home in The Hummocks. It became a revered place for his children,

grandchildren and great-grandchildren to spend time and enjoy recreational activities. Mr.

McGaw and his wife loved spending time on the water boating, swimming, and quahogging, and

later taking cruises, and spending 25 winters together in Florida; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Carolese, Mr. McGaw leaves behind his sons,

Michael McGaw, and James McGaw and his wife, the Honorable Michelle McGaw, Rhode Island

State Representative. Mr. McGaw was predeceased by his son, Christopher McGaw and also

leaves behind his grandchildren Meryl, Zachary, Kyle and his wife, Jerrica, Nicholas, Jake, and

Max, and his great-grandchildren Logan, Frances, Rowan and Ryland; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. McGaw was a kind, loving, honest and gentle soul who will be long-

remembered by his beloved family members and countless friends; now, therefore be it

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

expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of George Edward McGaw; 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. Carolese Burbage and Family.

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