2015 -- S 0938

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LC002741

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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 CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF VERNON L. GORTON, JR.

     Introduced By: Senators Ottiano, DiPalma, Paiva Weed, Felag, and Metts

     Date Introduced: May 21, 2015

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Vernon L. Gorton, Jr., passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2015. He was the

beloved husband of Beverly Gorton for 24 years; and

     WHEREAS, Vernon Gorton was born on November 15, 1955, in Fall River,

Massachusetts, the son of Anna E. Gorton and the late Vernon L. Gorton, Sr. He graduated from

Portsmouth High School in 1973, Providence College in 1977, and Western New England School

of Law with honors in 1981; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Gorton practiced law for 34 years in Portsmouth. He was highly

respected for his work in the legal and political activities of his community and was a generous

soul always willing to provide legal representation to those who couldn't otherwise afford his

services; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Gorton was a longtime member and past President of the Portsmouth

Democratic Town Committee. He also served, with honor, integrity and diligence as the Town

Solicitor for Portsmouth and Middletown, and on the Board of the Portsmouth Public Library;

and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Gorton was also very active in various community activities. He

coached girls' softball and was an assistant coach for boys' Little League. He was a lifetime

member of the Portuguese American Citizens Club and the Seaconnet Sportsman's Club. He also

was a past Associate Member of the Democratic State Committee, a member of the Rhode Island

Bar Association, and the Newport Bar Association; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife Beverly, and his mother Anna, Mr. Gorton leaves

behind his two children, Samuel Gorton and Maggie Gorton, and his three sisters, Jo-Anne

Gorton, Nancy Harrington, and Patricia Khokasian. He is also survived by numerous nieces and

nephews; now, therefore be it

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

hereby expresses its condolences to the Gorton Family on the passing of Vernon L. Gorton, Jr.;

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. Beverly Gorton and Family.

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