2014 -- H 8190

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LC005671

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING SINCERE CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JOSEPH T. GRAHAM

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Canario, Hull, Giarrusso, and Ferri

     Date Introduced: May 13, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with utmost sadness that this House has learned of the passing of

Joseph T. Graham on April 8th of 2014. He was the beloved common law husband of the late

Mary Savard, the devoted father of Ashley M. Graham, and the proud grandfather of Justus Hall;

and

     WHEREAS, Born in Providence, Joseph Graham was a son of the late Richard F. and

Mary E. Graham. He was the brother of Richard F. Graham, Jr., Mary Audet, Jacqueline Graham

Machon, and the late Barbara Ravenelle, and was a devoted uncle; and

     WHEREAS, For many years, Mr. Graham made his home in the City of Warwick. He

was a self-employed arborist and had been the owner of J.T. Graham Tree Service. During those

years, life was pretty and he spent many wonderful hours hunting, fishing, and enjoying nature

and life in general; and

     WHEREAS, Joseph Graham had a heart as big as the great outdoors and was often

known to hire those who were "down on their luck" or less fortunate in life when he had been

running his tree service business; and

     WHEREAS, Sadly, there came a day when Mr. Graham became one of those less

fortunate in our state, eventually becoming one of many homeless people on our streets, seeking

shelter from the cold or a warm meal to eat; and

     WHEREAS, Joseph Graham died a homeless person as too many do in our state. This

once prosperous and vigorous man died cold and alone. On Monday May 19, 2014, Joseph

Graham's life and his tragic passing will be remembered and recognized at a candlelight vigil at

the Arctic Gazebo in West Warwick; and

     WHEREAS, Joseph Graham was a kind, compassionate and endearing gentleman who

enriched the lives of all who knew him and he will be dearly missed; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby expresses our deepest sympathies on the passing of Joseph T.

Graham. We moreover urge the citizens of this state to learn about, advocate for, and lend support

to programs to help the homeless in our state; 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 Ashley M. Graham and Family.

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LC005671

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