2015 -- H 6311

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LC002875

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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 DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

JOHN F. MCBURNEY

     Introduced By: Representatives Johnston, Messier, Coughlin, Barros, and Tobon

     Date Introduced: June 11, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness and regret that this House has learned of the

passing of the Honorable John F. McBurney, a well-respected former member of the Rhode

Island Senate, a successful attorney, and a longtime resident of the City of Pawtucket; and

     WHEREAS, John McBurney was the loving husband of Ann McBurney. Together they

raised five children, the Honorable Magistrate John McBurney, III, and his wife, Cheryl, Michael

McBurney and his wife, Kathleen, the Honorable Cristine McBurney, Dr. Cathleen McBurney-

Saros and her husband, Nicholas, Mark McBurney, Esq., and the late Kevin McBurney. He was

also blessed with 20 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Hebbronville, Massachusetts, Mr. McBurney was the son of the late

John F. McBurney and Mary McBurney, and the brother of Alice Smith, and the late Mary

McBurney and Ann Burns. He was a graduate of Attleboro High School, Providence College,

where he was voted first team AAU All-American center fielder, and Boston College Law

School. In addition, he had played AA baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Giants

and had set an Interstate League record for hitting three home runs in one game; and

     WHEREAS, With honor and courage, John McBurney served our nation as an infantry

scout with the 103rd Infantry Division during WWII, and saw combat in France and Bavaria.

Prior to shipping overseas, he had been the 411th Battalion's Welterweight boxing champion.

During his time in the Army, he helped liberate the Landsberg Nazi concentration camp and was

briefly captured before escaping from German forces. He finished his service as the military

governor of Fulpmes, Austria, and was awarded the Legion of Honor (France's highest award)

and the Bronze Star for his valor; and

     WHEREAS, In November of 1957, Mr. McBurney was elected to serve in the Rhode

Island Senate, where he represented the people of District 38 in Pawtucket for the next 16 years.

During his tenure with the Senate, he chaired the Judiciary and the Health, Education and Welfare

Committees, and in 1964, introduced Rhode Island's Fair Housing Act over entrenched business

interests; and

     WHEREAS, To say that John McBurney was a larger than life character would be an

understatement. His zest, influence and talents were immeasurable. He loved the law and believed

strongly in the value of public life and the noble calling of politics. He served as a delegate to the

1960 and 1964 Democratic National Conventions, was a practicing trial attorney and founded

McBurney Law Services in Pawtucket, and as a sole practitioner in the 1970s, he reportedly had

more cases on the civil jury docket than any other attorney or firm in the state. In addition, he

taught school in Pawtucket, served as Pawtucket Assistant City Solicitor, was a Commissioner

with the Rhode Island Board of Elections for fourteen years, and proudly maintained his electrical

contractor's license; and

     WHEREAS, The measure of a life well-lived is not in how much money one has or what

possessions one has accumulated. The Honorable John McBurney instilled his family with a

desire to likewise serve the community and to his great and enduring credit, his children,

grandchildren and great-grandchildren are the most memorable and meaningful tribute to the man

they loved so much; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby offers its deepest sympathy to the entire McBurney Family on the

passing of the Honorable John F. McBurney; 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. Ann McBurney and Family.

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