2013 -- S 0007

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LC00293

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF RAYMOND A. LAFAZIA

     Introduced By: Senators Lynch, Goodwin, Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: January 10, 2013

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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

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Raymond LaFazia, the father of District Court Chief Judge Jeanne LaFazia and the father-in-law

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of our colleague, George Mason; and

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     WHEREAS, Raymond LaFazia’s life was built on service to his country, to his state, to

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his profession, and to the people surrounding him. He was born 88 years ago to his proud parents,

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the late Emil and Anna (Peloso) LaFazia. As a young man, he responded to his country’s needs

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during the dark days of World War II by enlisting in the Army Air Corps after his graduation

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from Mount Pleasant High School. He flew 38 combat missions as a ball turret gunner in B-24’s,

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where his bravery earned him The Distinguished Flying Cross, silver and gold oak leaf clusters,

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and the Certificate of Valor; and

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     WHEREAS, Following the war, Mr. LaFazia continued his education at the University of

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Rhode Island and then at Boston University, where he earned a law degree. He clerked with

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Rhode Island Legal Aid and embarked on a prestigious legal career that spanned six decades.

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Along with his partner, Bill Gunning, Ray established Gunning and LaFazia, which became one

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of the most-respected law firms in the state. Always aware of the profound importance of

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advocating for those in greatest need, Ray handled numerous cases pro bono throughout his

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career; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition to serving the needs of his clients, Ray took time to advance the

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legal profession in the state. He served as the Dean of the Rhode Island Bar Association and

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never hesitated to share his time and insights with younger lawyers and students. His protégés

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include an august array of legal minds – members of the state and federal judiciary, leaders of the

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Bar, a former governor, and president of a local hospital. He made sure that his law firm modeled

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equality in opportunity by including women among its lawyers at a time when other firms had

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none; and

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     WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Ray’s work earned him the admiration of his peers. He

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served as a Bar Examiner and as a member of the Advisory Committee on Rules for the U.S.

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Court of Appeals. He also received the Ralph P. Semonoff Award for Professionalism; and

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     WHEREAS, Ray was never content with the status quo. At the age of 53, when most of

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his counterparts were slowing down, Ray embraced bicycling and toured much of the continental

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U.S., the Baja, and Great Britain. He cycled up Mount Evans, Mount Washington, and Mount

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Ranier. He encouraged others to be equally active by hosting the Narragansett Bay Wheelmen’s

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“Polar Bear” bicycle ride for 35 years. At age 75, Ray bicycled 500 miles through the mountains

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of Montana. Even in his final year, Ray could be seen cycling from his home to the gym,

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modeling a commitment to discipline and determination that inspired those who saw him; and

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     WHEREAS, Perhaps Ray’s greatest legacy is the loving family he leaves behind,

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including his wife, Ellen, his son, Raymond Alan, his daughter, The Honorable Jeanne LaFazia,

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and her husband, George Mason. He also leaves a brother, George, and his wife, Virginia, his

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sisters, Catherine Deion and her husband Joe, Lois Guilford and her husband, Earle, and many

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wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ray was predeceased by Helen (Jones) LaFazia, his

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sister, Dorothy Danella, and his daughter-in-law, Dale Dwyer; and

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     WHEREAS, Even though we are all diminished by the passing of this great man, we

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draw comfort from the fact that Raymond LaFazia left a significant mark on the state. Ray will

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surely live on in the memories of all those who were touched throughout the course of his

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extraordinary life; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby expresses its deepest sympathy on the passing of Raymond A. LaFazia. He will be

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sincerely missed; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mrs. Ellen LaFazia and Family.

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LC00293

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