Introduced By : Representatives Iwuc, Wasylyk, Farrell, Barr and Kilmartin
Date Introduced : April 10, 1997
Referred To : Read and Passed
WHEREAS, The poet John Donne once wrote, "One short sleep past, we wake eternally,/And Death shall be no more." The untimely passing of Shawn J. O'Connor, who was with us for only 36 years, leaves an ache in the heart of everyone fortunate enough to have known him. A loving husband and father, a dutiful and grateful son, and a man who dedicated himself to protecting and enhancing the lives of others, his death saddens and diminishes us all; and
WHEREAS, Born in Providence, a son of Thomas J. O'Connor, a former Cumberland Police Chief, and Margaret M. (McCourt) O'Connor, Shawn J. O'Connor was the husband of Lori A. (Mandolfi) O'Connor; and
WHEREAS, A 1978 graduate of Cumberland High School, Shawn O'Connor received his Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement from Bryant College; and
WHEREAS, A member of Cumberland FOP Lodge 14 and the Irish Kings, Shawn J. O'Connor was a Patrolman for the Cumberland Police Department from 1981 to 1987, and was the Fire Warden for the Valley Falls Fire Department. He was a Fraud Investigator for the Department of Employment and Training for five years at the time of his death; and
WHEREAS, Besides his wife and parents, Shawn J. O'Connor leaves two daughters, Megan M. and Emily A. O'Connor; two brothers, Thomas J. and Paul G. O'Connor; and, a sister, Marilyn Ackaway. He was the brother of the late Michael O'Connor, Margaret M. O'Connor and Maureen A. Pallante; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby extends its most profound regrets to the family and friends of Shawn J. O'Connor on the occasion of his death. While the passage of time will gradually alleviate the sadness which weighs so heavily on all of our hearts, Shawn's many acts of kindness and generous spirit will live on for many years to come in our loving memories of him; 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. Lori A. O'Connor and to Mrs. and Mrs. Thomas J. O'Connor.
