2016 -- H 7967

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF MICHAEL ANTHONY

BROWN

     Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, and Ruggiero

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

the passing of Michael Anthony Brown, the cherished husband of Kathleen Delorey Brown, who

was the love of his life, and the devoted father of Michael Jr., and Madeline; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Hyannis, Massachusetts, Michael was the son of Phyllis and the late

Robert Brown. He was blessed with a large and loving family, and grew up embraced by his

sisters and brothers, Catherine, Robert, Caren, Chuck, Ted, Lissa, and Jonathan, and many aunts,

uncles and cousins; and

     WHEREAS, The exploits of Michael Brown's life have encompassed many chapters

filled with adventure, motivation, and commitment to making a better world for future

generations. At the age of 19, he began what would be the first of many business exploits, this

particular one in St. Thomas. He returned to Rhode Island to join the family business, Crystal

Thermoplastics, which he expanded and then later sold; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his family, one of the staple passions in Michael's life was the

ocean. This driving motivation was evident when he founded an environmentally responsible

company, Packaging2.0, which was the first Benefit Corporation in Rhode Island. He created

business packaging that upheld his deep sense of environmental accountability and won

numerous awards for his innovation, particularly in the area of sustainability; and

     WHEREAS, Michael Brown was an extraordinary individual who lived his life with

allegiance and authenticity. He played an unprecedented role in bringing awareness of our

ecosystem's importance and helped to generate positive change by educating others about

recycling, technology, and research. He was a member and involved with many organizations

including, 5 Gyres, Rozalia Project, Clean Ocean Access, and the Jamestown Conservation

Commission, on which he served; and

     WHEREAS, Making his home in Jamestown, Michael was an avid sailor and active

member of the Conanicut Yacht Club. He had sailed in many of the one design classes, Tuesday

night racing, frostbite sailing in Shellback dinghies, and although his health was declining, had

been out on the water just a few weeks before his passing; and

     WHEREAS, In a perfect world there would never be a need to comfort because there

would be no suffering, but to quote an Irish prayer, "God saw you getting tired and a cure was not

to be. So He put His arms around you and whispered 'come to me.' With tearful eyes we watched

you, and saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A

golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He

only takes the best"; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby offers our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of

Michael Anthony Brown. He will forever be in the hearts and minds of all who were fortunate

enough to be a part of his glorious life; 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. Kathleen Delorey Brown and Family.

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