2026 -- S 2004

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LC003585

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

DAVID R. CARLIN, JR.

     Introduced By: Senators Lawson, Felag, de la Cruz, Tikoian, Euer, Patalano, Quezada,
Gallo, Sosnowski, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: January 08, 2026

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of the

Honorable David R. Carlin, Jr., the esteemed former Majority Leader of the Rhode Island State

Senate. He was the beloved husband of Maureen Carlin for more than 55 years; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable David Carlin, Jr., was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in

1938, the son of the late David and Marion Carlin. Mr. Carlin graduated from Saint Raphael

Academy in Pawtucket in 1956, and then attended Providence College, where he graduated with

honors in 1960. Mr. Carlin continued his education by obtaining master’s degrees in philosophy

and sociology from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Rhode Island. Mr. Carlin

then began a distinguished career in education as a college professor at the Community College

of Rhode Island, where he taught for more than 40 years until his retirement after his 80th

birthday; and

     WHEREAS, David Carlin also had a long and admirable record of outstanding public

service, beginning as a member of the Newport School Committee in 1975, a position he held

until his election to the Rhode Island State Senate in 1980, where he represented with distinction

the residents of Newport and, in later years, the residents of Jamestown and Middletown. Widely

respected by his colleagues, Mr. Carlin was chosen by his colleagues to serve as the Senate

Majority Leader from 1988 to 1990. In 1992, David Carlin won his party’s nomination to be the

Democratic candidate for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District. David Carlin also served as

the Chair of the Newport Democratic Party City Committee from 1999 to 2005, and was elected

once again to serve on the Newport School Committee, from 2001 to 2009; and

     WHEREAS, In his free time, Mr. Carlin was a prolific author, having written seven

books and many newspaper and magazine articles, and was the recipient of many writing awards.

He also greatly enjoyed reading, maintained a personal library of thousands of books and enjoyed

traveling with his wife, having visited 48 states and most of Europe. Mr. Carlin was also a man of

deep Catholic faith, which guided him throughout all aspects of his life; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Maureen, David Carlin leaves behind his children,

David R. Carlin, III, and his wife, Patricia, Joshua E. Carlin, and his wife, Kerri, and Margaret R.

Carlin. Mr. Carlin is also survived by his grandchildren, Brigid, Luke, Daniel, and Mary Carlin,

as well as his sister, Catherine M. Duffy, and his niece, Mary Catherine Rollinson. Mr. Carlin was

predeceased by his parents, sister, Maureen Fitzgerald, and his brothers-in-law, Bruce Fitzgerald

and Vincent Duffy; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest

condolences to the Carlin Family on the passing of the Honorable David R. Carlin, Jr., 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 Mrs. Maureen Carlin and Family.

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