2015 -- H 5781

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LC002046

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF WILLIAM ABBOTT

SCHWAB

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Casey, and Trillo

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

William A. Schwab, beloved husband for almost thirty-seven years to Jane Haslun Schwab,

devoted father of Lindsay Haun and her husband Paul, and Taylor Abbott Schwab, and the very

proud grandfather of Harrison William Haun; and

     WHEREAS, William "Bill" Schwab was born in Schenectady, New York, the son of the

late William H. and Constance (Abbott) Schwab, and the brother of George C. Schwab, Marjorie

Schwab and Wayne, Susanne Shelby, and the late Thomas Schwab. He attended The Albany

Academy in Albany, New York, and was a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, where he

was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity; and

     WHEREAS, In 1978, Bill joined the Amica Mutual Insurance Company where he held

the position of Relocation Coordinator in Human Resources until his passing. He had previously

been employed with the Lake George Steamboat Company; and

     WHEREAS, Every spring, Bill Schwab would get excited for his Junior Achievement

visit to the Carl G. Lauro Elementary School in Providence, where he would work with the fourth

grade teacher to develop a project based learning lesson on business development. His students

would often write him letters and notes expressing their excitement over the Junior Achievement

business projects on which they had worked. Bill had also served as a board member and

president of Junior Achievement of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, In the community, Bill was very involved in local politics. He supported and

worked for candidates on both side of the aisle and enjoyed advising both statewide and local

candidates on the issues of the day. He was never at a loss for an opinion; and

     WHEREAS, Bill loved fishing. He enjoyed fishing for striped bass both from shore and

off shore around Block Island. His love for fishing also inspired his daughters to excel at trout

fishing, and when they were children, on opening day of the trout season, Bill’s daughters often

out fished most of the boys in the neighborhood. Bill also enjoyed his time spent on the water at

the Rhode Island Yacht Club, where he was a member; and

     WHEREAS, “Willie”, as he was known to his good friends, was notorious for playing

pranks, telling jokes and doing impromptu magic tricks, and he was always having fun, especially

when he was attending Gaspee Days celebrations, neighborhood parties, and golfing with his

good friends; and

     WHEREAS, Blessed with a family and many friends who loved him like family, Bill

Schwab thoroughly enjoyed his life. He had a passion for cooking and entertaining his family and

friends. Willie was a family man, a devoted and loving husband and father, and was always there

for anyone who needed anything; and

     WHEREAS, In his own words, Bill Schwab would say, "you can't change the past, you

can only move forward," and so perhaps, the most fitting tribute to him would be a celebration of

his life, a life in which each and every day was lived fully, enriching the lives of all of those who

knew him. He was fortunate to have always enjoyed the love and support of his family and

friends, and he will be dearly missed and forever remembered by his extended loving family and

many friends; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby expresses our heartfelt condolences on the passing of William

Abbott Schwab; 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. Jane Haslun Schwab and Family.

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