2015 -- S 0951

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LC002769

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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 RONALD KENNEDY

     Introduced By: Senators Algiere, Morgan, Walaska, Paiva Weed, and Ruggerio

     Date Introduced: May 28, 2015

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Ronald

Kennedy, the beloved husband of 56 years to his wife, the late Jeanette Katherine Kennedy, the

loving father of four children, Kevin John Kennedy and his wife, Janet, our friend and colleague

the Honorable Brian Patrick Kennedy, Tracey Anne Kennedy and her husband, Ronald, and Erin

Beth Celico and her husband, Robert, and the very proud grandfather of five grandchildren, Drew

Kennedy Prouty, Ronald John Kennedy, Nicholas Alexander Celico, Jonathan Thomas Celico,

and Gabriella Anne Celico; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Westerly, Mr. Kennedy was the son of the late Alfred Kennedy, Sr.,

and Alice Kennedy Dabrowski, and brother of the late Alfred Kennedy, Jr. He was also

predeceased by his stepfather Raymond Dabrowski and his stepsister Muriel Dabrowski Brothers.

Mr. Kennedy attended Westerly High School, where he was a standout athlete in multiple sports;

and

     WHEREAS, Upon graduation from high school, Mr. Kennedy joined the United States

Army, where he played for the baseball team, and upon discharge, was drafted by the Milwaukee

Braves; and

     WHEREAS, After marrying his wife, Jeanette, in 1958, Mr. Kennedy was self-employed

as a building contractor for many years. His love for building extended to his own home, where

he enjoyed rebuilding stone walls from field stones, with many of his walls still gracing the

community. He also loved gardening, and while wintering in Florida, would enjoy the hobby of

metal detecting on the beach; and

     WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Mr. Kennedy served one term on the

Hopkinton Town Council and was a long-time member and past Chairman of the Hopkinton

Zoning Board, a member of the Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee and also a life member

of Westerly Lodge #10 FOPA. He had been the longest serving member of the Ashaway

Volunteer Fire Department, and had served as President of the Fire Department from 1980-1984,

and again from 1986-1987. In addition, he was the Moderator for the Ashaway Fire District for

many years and was named Fireman of the Year in 1981; and

     WHEREAS, Ronald Kennedy was blessed to have always had the total support and

adoration of his family and his determination in the face of adversity was inspirational to all who

knew and loved him. He will be dearly missed; now, therefore be it

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

hereby offers our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Ronald Kennedy and we hope the

sadness of his passing will be replaced by warm memories to comfort them in the days ahead; 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 Kevin John Kennedy, the Honorable Brian

Patrick Kennedy, Tracey Anne Kennedy, and Erin Beth Celico.

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LC002769

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