2025 -- H 5062

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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 DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

JOHN E. FARIA

     Introduced By: Representatives Donovan, Speakman, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Chippendale, Kennedy, Ajello, Edwards, Cortvriend, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: January 15, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, This House was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the Honorable

John E. Faria, the beloved husband of Patricia Pastore, OCDS, for sixty-three years, and the

devoted father of Kimberly, Jeffrey and his wife, Dede, and Johnathan and his wife, Tracey. He

was also the very proud grandfather of Kyle and his wife, Kim, Jared, Tyler and Kaia, and one

great-grandchild, Alaina; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Faria was born and remained a lifelong resident of the Town of Bristol.

He was the son of the late John P. and Edwina Faria, who had been Portuguese immigrants, and

the brother of the late Adam Faria. He was a graduate of Colt Memorial High School, and soon

thereafter, joined the United States Navy, serving with honor as a Gunners Mate Second Class

and for three years on the Intrepid in the Mediterranean Sea; and

     WHEREAS, A life-long Democrat, the Honorable John Faria was a member and later

Chairman of the Bristol Democratic Town Committee for nineteen years. He was also elected as

a member and ultimately served as President of the Bristol Town Council from 1968 thru 1971,

and in a special election on November 2, 1971, was elected to the District 45 seat of the Rhode

Island Senate, serving constituency in the Towns of Warren and Bristol until January of 1973;

and

     WHEREAS, Later in the 1970s, Mr. Faria attended Roger Williams College, graduating

with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, and for nineteen years, worked for the RI Department of

Administration. In addition, for more than forty years during the tax season, he had diligently

spent countless long evenings preparing the income taxes for more than five hundred families;

and

     WHEREAS, Devoted to his community in myriad ways, Mr. Faria served and was a

member of a panoply of local civic and altruistic organizations including, serving as Secretary for

the Santo Cristo Club, President of the Prince Henry Club, a member of the Knights of

Columbus, Co-Chairman of Bristol’s Tricentennial Celebration, and for the last twenty-seven

years, as a member and later as Chairman of the Bristol Housing Authority; and

     WHEREAS, Proud of his heritage, Mr. Faria served the Social Security Administration

of the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare as a citizenship instructor for immigrants

wishing to become United States citizens. He earned both the respect and gratitude of many

generations for his assistance in becoming Americans and had whole-heartedly stated that “We

were all immigrants at one time in this country and it is immigrants who have made America

what it is today, and it distresses me to see how immigrants are now being treated, no matter their

country of origin”; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable John Faria led a life replete with accolades,

accomplishments and admiration. He was a devoted family man, a dedicated representative for

his community and our State, and a widely-respected gentleman, who annually hosted State and

local Governors, Senators, Congressmen and local officials on his family’s homestead, located at

the starting point of Bristol’s historic 4th of July Parade route, and he is deeply missed by all who

had been fortunate to have been part of his glorious life; now, therefore be it

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

extends deepest condolences and sympathy on the passing of the Honorable John E. Faria; 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 Patricia Pastore, OCDS and Family.

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