2013 -- S 0999

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LC02801

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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 CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF E. RICHARD DURFEE

     Introduced By: Senators Sheehan, and Hodgson

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2013

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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

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Richard Durfee, the devoted husband for 46 years of Angela T. Durfee, the loving father of Erin

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E. Durfee, Kristen A. Kramer and her husband, Joe, and Kevin R. Durfee and his wife, Antonina,

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and the proud grandfather of Carlin Durfee, Joseph and Caroline Kramer, and Aivan and

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Angelina Durfee; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Durfee was born in Providence to the late Norman and Edna Durfee. 

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Upon graduation from South Kingstown High School in 1959, he enlisted in the United States

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Army and was based in West Berlin, where he witnessed the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Finishing his tour of duty, Mr. Durfee returned stateside and continued his

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education, earning a degree in Accounting from the University of Rhode Island. He entered the

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workforce as an accountant for Raytheon Co. in Portsmouth but left in order to run the family

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business, George’s of Galilee, after his father’s retirement in 1969; and

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     WHEREAS, Combining business acumen, hard work, a panoramic location, and the best

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in classic New England seafood, Mr. Durfee made George’s a landmark culinary destination that

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is renowned across the country; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Durfee believed in giving back to his community. As a charter member

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of the Narragansett Lions Club, Mr. Durfee was posthumously honored with the Melvin Jones

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Fellowship Award. The award is bestowed upon an individual who has demonstrated exemplary

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service to the community and is the highest form of recognition given by the Lion’s association;

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and

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     WHEREAS, In addition to his family and George’s restaurant, Mr. Durfee loved the

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ocean, traveling, swimming, skiing, and windsurfing. He was founder of the Blessing of the Fleet,

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a charter member of the URI Men’s Basketball Fast Break Club, a Little League coach and a

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sponsor for numerous local youth sports teams. He was also a member of St. Peter’s by-the-Sea in

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Narragansett, and an avid reader and word buff, who loved history and having a cup of coffee and

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exchanging stories with the old-time fishermen in Galilee; and

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     WHEREAS, A steadfast gentleman, family man, and a consummate businessman,

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Richard Durfee left this world a far better place because of his life’s endeavors. His dry humor

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and quick wit will be missed by many and he will be dearly remembered; 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 our deepest sympathies to the entire Durfee Family on the passing of E. Richard

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Durfee; and be it further  

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Angela Durfee and Family.

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LC02801

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