2021 -- H 5331

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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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 EDMUND D. FULLER

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Vella-Wilkinson,
Amore, Casimiro, Ackerman, Solomon, Corvese, and Williams

     Date Introduced: February 04, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

passing of Edmund D. Fuller on Sunday, January 24, 2021. Better known as "Ted" by his family

and many friends, he leaves behind his beloved wife, Kristine Fuller, and a legacy of community

that continues to this day; and

     WHEREAS, Ted was a giant in the Rhode Island hospitality community, with his

influence helping to shape one of the state’s largest industries; and

     WHEREAS, In 1972, Ted purchased Gregg’s Restaurants and Taverns, transforming

what was a small local eatery into a Rhode Island institution. Under his guidance, the restaurant

expanded from its initial Warwick location to additional restaurants in Providence, East

Providence, and North Kingstown; and

     WHEREAS, In an effort to give back to the community, Ted developed the Gregg’s

Giving Tree, a holiday tradition that donates Christmas gifts to children, seniors, and other Rhode

Islanders in need; and

     WHEREAS, In August of 1996, Gregg’s kicked off a unique community partnership with

Hasbro Children’s Hospital. The partnership is formed around a luscious, four-layer chocolate

peanut butter cake created by Gregg's master bakers specifically to benefit the children's hospital.

Gregg's appropriately named the new specialty dessert the "Giving Cake." Each time a whole

Giving Cake is purchased, $2 of the purchase price is donated to the children's hospital, and each

slice purchased provides a 25-cent donation. Since its inception, Gregg’s has donated more than

$130,000 through this program; and

     WHEREAS, In 1985, frustrated by a lack in technology, Ted and his brother, Bill,

created the first of its kind point of sale system featuring a touch screen. Today, POSitouch is an

internationally renowned company leading the field in restaurant technology innovation; and

     WHEREAS, A central component of Ted’s vision was to create a culture of community

for the hospitality industry in Rhode Island. In 1988, Ted, along with the late William DeAngelis

of Twin Oaks Restaurant and Ned Grace, the founder of Capital Grille and Hemenways, re-

established the RI Hospitality Association, which has served as the voice of the hospitality

industry in Rhode Island for the past thirty-two years. To this day, RIHA uses Ted’s “Culture of

Community” as one of its guiding principles; and

     WHEREAS, Well-respected within the Hospitality community, in 2003, Ted received an

honorary doctorate from Johnson & Wales University in recognition of his influence in the

industry; and

     WHEREAS, Gregg’s prominence in the RI restaurant scene was a great source of pride

and satisfaction for Ted. His stewardship and guidance were important to so many that worked

with him over the years. Even after his retirement in 2008, his influence has continued to be an

important part of the company’s success; and

     WHEREAS, Ted Fuller will be fondly remembered by the many members of his Gregg’s

Family, his friends at the RI Hospitality Association, and the many restaurants that have benefited

from his influence. In the words of his long-time friend, Dale J. Venturini, “He was one of these

people that was just ageless, and I think that was all just because of his heart and soul of

embracing and giving everybody some part of him”; now, therefore be it

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

extends its sincere condolences on the passing of Edmund D. Fuller; 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 Mrs. Kristine Fuller and Mr. Dale J. Venturini.

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