2010 -- H 7128

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LC00610

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2010

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

EXPRESSING PROFOUND SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF

ROBERT FRANCIS TASCA, SR.

     Introduced By: Representatives Marcello, Williams, Murphy, Lima, and Giannini

     Date Introduced: January 13, 2010

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this House of Representatives has learned of the

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passing of Robert Francis Tasca, Sr., a well-respected and long-time resident of the community of

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Hope and icon in the automotive industry; and  

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     WHEREAS, Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Mr. Tasca was the son of the late Carlo

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Tasca and Maria Colavecchio. He met and married his beloved wife, Josephine, and was the

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father of Robert Tasca and his wife, Jayne, Carl Tasca and his wife, Luna, David Tasca and his

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wife, Janice, and Patricia Tasca DeCristofaro and her husband, Nicholas, Jr. He was also the

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devoted grandfather of Robert, Jaime, Michael, Carl, Carrie, David, Christie, Nicole, Rebecca,

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and Nicholas, and the great-grandfather of Robert, Austin, Cameron, Brooke, and Marc; and  

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     WHEREAS, Robert Tasca, Sr. began his illustrious career with the Ford Motor Company

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in 1943, working at a local dealership. In 1953, he purchased his first dealership, located in

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Bristol, Rhode Island, and over the next decade, he became a trusted advisor to Henry Ford II;

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and 

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     WHEREAS, New England’s often-harsh weather, in the guise of Hurricane Carol,

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compelled Mr. Tasca to move the dealership to its landmark East Providence location after the

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Bristol facility was destroyed. The move proved to be advantageous. In the 1960s, the business

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grew to become the second largest Ford dealership in the nation; and  

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     WHEREAS, In 1971, Mr. Tasca opened a Lincoln Mercury dealership in Seekonk,

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Massachusetts, and, as with all his endeavors, the enterprise proved to be a winner. In 1986, his

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Lincoln Mercury dealership attained the largest volume and highest customer satisfaction level of

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any Lincoln Mercury dealership in the world, and coined the catch phrase “None bigger, none

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better”; and  

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Tasca was also devoted to various motor sports. He was a lifelong

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friend of Carroll Shelby, whom he helped to assemble the Cobra. He rose to national prominence

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as a drag racer and helped to create the Ford Thunderbolt drag racing car. He sponsored

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numerous hot rod teams and events, winning several national events and titles; and  

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     WHEREAS, Robert Tasca, Sr.’s business acumen and accomplishments are indelibly

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imprinted in the minds and hearts of countless Rhode Islanders and there is no doubt that he has

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left Rhode Island, and America, a far better place because of his life’s endeavors; now, therefore

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be it  

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

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Providence Plantations hereby expresses our deepest sympathies to the entire Tasca Family on the

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passing of Robert Francis Tasca, Sr. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered by this

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legislature and the citizens of the State of Rhode Island; and be it further  

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

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mrs. Josephine Tasca and Family.

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LC00610

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