Introduced By : Representative Simonian
Date Introduced : April 3, 1997
Referred To : Read and Passed
WHEREAS, One of the most eloquent, professional and compassionate attorneys in the Ocean State, Public Defender Richard M. Casparian earned the admiration and respect of everyone involved in the State's judicial system for his more than two decades of devoted service. A native of Providence, and a longtime resident of Cranston, Mr. Casparian had been with the Public Defender's Office since 1974, and served as Public Defender since 1988; and
WHEREAS, Representing some of the most unsympathetic clients in Rhode Island's recent history, Richard Casparian never shied away from a case because it was unpopular or seemed unwinnable to just about everyone else. In the words of Assistant Attorney General Joseph DeCaporale, "He felt very strongly for the rights of his clients; he was their champion and he did it with a lot of class and a lot of respect for the lawyers he worked with and for everyone involved in the criminal-justice system."; and
WHEREAS, Born 66 years ago to Virginia (Bargamanian) Casparian and the last Joseph Casparian, Richard M. Casparian is survived by his wife, Gloria (Bedrosian) Casparian. A graduate of Providence College and the Boston University School of Law, he served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958, first in the Army Intelligence School, and later attached to Combat Intelligence in Germany; and
WHEREAS, Active in Cranston Democratic politics in the1960s and 1970s, Richard Casparian served as a City Councilman in the mid-1960s, and was the first Chairman of the city's Historic District Commission. An Assistant City Solicitor in Cranston before joining the Public Defender's Office in 1974, he was named the 1965 Man of the Year by the Cranston Chapter of the Rhode Island Jaycees and was inducted into the Cranston Hall of Fame Foundation in 1986; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, the American Bar Association and a founder of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Richard Casparian was also a devoted member of the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church; and
WHEREAS, Famed for his great courtroom presence and wonderful sense of humor, Richard Casparian was never at a loss for words in the defense of his clients. "His oratory skills were outstanding. He would make a jury spell-bound by his closing arguments. He knew how to put all the facts together into a very logical and rational form for the jury to understand."; and
WHEREAS, Even when his clients went to prison, Richard Casparian would stay in touch, often putting his own money into their accounts to purchase necessities. A friend to everyone, he was truly one of life's noblemen. In the knowing words of Supreme Court Justice John P. Bourcier, Richard Casparian "was a great, great public defender, but more than that he was a great person. He was a very decent human being, always a gentleman in the true sense of the word in representing clients before the courts."; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby offers its deepest condolences to the family of the late Richard M. Casparian: his wife, Gloria Casparian; his mother, Virginia Casparian; daughter, Carol V. Casparian; and, sister, Barbara Sarkesian. A man whose myriad accomplishments and acts of kindness will long be remembered, Richard M. Casparian set a standard for excellence in public service that is an inspiration to us all; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mrs. Gloria Casparian and Mrs. Virginia Casparian.
