2016 -- S 2949

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LC005905

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING SINCERE CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

THOMAS N. GOODWIN

     Introduced By: Senators Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, P Fogarty, Felag, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: May 10, 2016

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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

Honorable Thomas N. Goodwin, a well-respected former member of the Rhode Island Senate, the

loving husband of the late Patricia M. Goodwin for fifty-three years, and the cherished father of

three daughters, our friend and colleague, Senator Maryellen Goodwin, Sheila Connelly and her

husband, Paul, and Maureen LaRocque and her husband, Jeffrey; and

     WHEREAS, A son of the late Owen and Ann Goodwin, Tom Goodwin grew up in a

large, loving, and boisterous family in the City of Providence. He was the brother of Ann Masse,

Ellen Myers and Catherine Murphy, and the late Edward Goodwin, Peter Goodwin, the Reverend

Owen Goodwin, SS.CC, Ellen Goodwin, Mary Sweeney, and Jane A. Goodwin; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Goodwin was a graduate of La Salle Academy and the New England

Institute of Applied Arts & Sciences in Boston. He continued his education, taking business

classes at Providence College. He also held a Master Plumber and Pipefitters License in Rhode

Island; and

     WHEREAS, In 1951, Mr. Goodwin began what would become his lifelong profession.

After serving as an apprentice under Russell J. Boyle at the former William J. Chisholm Funeral

Home, he became a professional Funeral Director. For more than six decades, he assisted families

of those who had passed with compassion and devotion at the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral

Homes, in both Providence and Warwick; and

     WHEREAS, On November 5th of 1968, the Honorable Thomas Goodwin was elected to

the Rhode Island Senate, representing neighborhoods in the City of Providence. Held in the

highest esteem by both his constituency and his colleagues in the Senate, he served for five terms,

retiring in 1979. During his tenure, Mr. Goodwin was instrumental in establishing the Rhode

Island Veterans Cemetery, and the Rhode Island Lottery. Following in her dad's footsteps, the

Honorable Maryellen Goodwin now holds her father's seat; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, daughters, and sons-in-law, Mr. Goodwin was the

proud grandfather of four beautiful grandchildren, Marygrace Heywood, Teresa Rose and John

Paul LaRocque, and Liam Thomas Connelly. He was also the beloved uncle of many nieces,

nephews and cousins, as well as his beloved sidekick, Jorge "Stix" Charon; and

     WHEREAS, Tom Goodwin spent much of his life in service to others. In addition to his

family and years in the Senate, he was active in a panoply of local and civic organizations

including, being a charter member of the "100" Club of Rhode Island, an active member of the

Rhode Island Former Legislators Association, and a charter member of the Capitol Hill

Interaction Council. He had also been the Trustee of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Providence

since 1978, a parishioner since 1958, and upon his retirement, had joined his wife in helping their

daughter Maureen in the operation of "Perfect Beginnings Christian Day Care"; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Thomas Goodwin's compassion and good nature enriched

the lives of all who were fortunate enough to have been part of his noble life, and his dedication

to his family and public service is an inspiration to us all; now, therefore be it

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

hereby expresses our deepest sympathies to the family of the Honorable Thomas N. Goodwin on

his passing. We further avow that he will forever be warmly remembered by this membership

and the citizens of Rhode Island for the profundity and generosity of his heart and his deeds, and

for the lifetime of service he bestowed on the people of this state; and

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Senator Maryellen Goodwin, Sheila and Paul

Connelly, and Maureen and Jeffrey LaRocque.

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