2015 -- S 0769

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LC002261

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES AND CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING

OF JOHN P. O'CONNOR, ESQ.

     Introduced By: Senators Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, Goodwin, Algiere, and Goldin

     Date Introduced: March 25, 2015

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness and profound sympathy that this Senate has learned

of the passing of John P. O'Connor, Esq., the highly respected Director of Legislative Council for

more than twenty-one years, serving under the leadership of four Speakers of the House, and one

Lieutenant Governor and three Senate Presidents; and

     WHEREAS, John O'Connor is survived by his lovely wife, Elizabeth, and his sons, Sean

and Bréndan. He was also the very proud grandfather of Grace and Quinn; and

     WHEREAS, John graduated from LaSalle Academy and earned his Bachelor's degree in

Business Management with a minor in Economics and Accounting from Bryant College, and in

November of 1970, began working as a Financial Specialist in the Retirement System Office for

the City of Providence; and

     WHEREAS, In April of 1974, the citizens of the Ocean State became the beneficiaries of

John's keen intellect and abiding dedication to excellence when he began state service as a

Property Manager. While working in that capacity, he returned to school earning his Juris

Doctorate Degree from the New England School of Law; and

     WHEREAS, After passing the bar, John joined the Public Defenders Office for the State

of Rhode Island, a position he held until 1984, when he decided to go into private practice. Over

the next eight years, he maintained a flourishing law office, where his expertise in criminal

defense was highly sought, and earned him a solid reputation as a skillful and fearsome attorney;

and

     WHEREAS, On December 2nd of 1993, John returned to state service when he was

named the Director of Legislative Council for the General Assembly, a position he held for more

than two decades; and

     WHEREAS, As Director of Legislative Council, John shouldered the responsibility for

the drafting and preparation of the General Assembly's complex legislation, an often Herculean

task, requiring long hours, an immense aptitude, and the ability to juggle a myriad of issues on

any given day; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, John oversaw the staff of Legislative Council. He was a strong

leader, who encouraged a team approach, often discussing numerous points of view on any given

legislation before proceeding, and he became a mentor to many of Council's lawyers who gained

invaluable experience under his tutelage. John also understood the need for expediency, yet he

would whole-heartedly listen to and stand up for his staff; and

     WHEREAS, John O'Connor was a legal luminary who possessed a brilliant mind and a

determined spirit. His no-nonsense approach to leadership combined with his tireless devotion to

the citizens of the Ocean State earned him the unqualified admiration and respect of all who knew

him and were invaluable to the efficiency of the entire legislative process. Memories of this

remarkable man and his devoted service to the Rhode Island General Assembly and the citizens

of the Ocean State will long be memorialized, and he will be sorely missed; now, therefore be it

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

hereby expresses our heartfelt condolences on the passing of John P. O'Connor, Esq.; 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. Elizabeth O'Connor and Family.

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LC002261

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