2025 -- H 5041

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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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 MELVIN L. ZURIER

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Ajello, Chippendale, Kislak,
Kennedy, Solomon, Ackerman, Azzinaro, and Boylan

     Date Introduced: January 14, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

L. Zurier, the beloved husband of the late Janet Zurier for 71 years; and

     WHEREAS, Melvin Zurier was born in Providence, the son of the late Louis and Frances

Zurier, and was the brother of the late Hilda Glickman and Rosalind Gever; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Zurier was part of the first generation of his family to be born in the

United States, and was the first member of his family to attend college. Mr. Zurier attended the

Henry Barnard School, Classical High School, Harvard College, and Harvard Law School. While

at Harvard, he obtained a commission in the United States Air Force Reserve and went on to

serve in the United States Air Force Reserve, where he served in the Judge Advocate General

Corps, retiring with the rank of Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve; and

     WHEREAS, On July 4, 1950, Melvin Zurier met the love of his life, Janet Rosen of

Allentown, Pennsylvania, and after a whirlwind courtship, they married on July 4, 1951. The

Zuriers returned to Providence with Mr. Zurier practicing law. His tireless work ethic, abiding

integrity and vast knowledge of the law came to the attention of Rhode Island Governor John

Notte, who appointed him to serve as his Executive Counsel. Later, in 1962, Mr. Zurier was a

founding member of the Temkin, Merolla & Zurier law firm, where he worked for nearly twenty

years. Mr. Zurier later practiced with the law firms of Levy, Goodman, and Licht & Seminoff

until 2008; and

     WHEREAS, Melvin Zurier had a long and distinguished career of exemplary public and

community service. He served as the Chairman of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission, and

served as the President of Temple Beth El, and the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association.

He also supported numerous charitable, political and educational organizations, including the

Jewish Federation of Rhode Island and the Classical High School Varsity Club; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Zurier a devoted family man his entire life, leaves behind his four

children, Rebecca Zurier and her husband, Thomas Willette, the Honorable Samuel Zurier and his

wife, Lauren, Benjamin Zurier and his wife, Linda Movish, and Sarah Zurier and her husband,

Jonathan Bell, and his eight grandchildren Rachel Zurier and her husband, Daniel Fishman, Jack,

Hannah, William, and Joseph Zurier, Nathan and Aaron Willette, and Zachary Bell. Mr. Zurier

also leaves behind many nieces and nephews; now, therefore be it

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

expresses its condolences on the passing of Melvin L. Zurier; 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 Senator Samuel D. Zurier and Family.

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