2017 -- S 0617

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES ON THE PASSING OF JOSEPH RICHARD

BRADY

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

     Date Introduced: March 16, 2017

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with deep regret and sadness that we have learned of the passing of our

dear friend and colleague Joseph Brady, on Saturday, July 2, 2016. Joe was the husband of the

late Ellen S. Brady for twenty-eight years and the father of Amy and her husband, Lieutenant

Commander John Hansen, Kathryn Brady, and Joseph Brady, III, and his wife, Jennifer, and was

the proud grandfather of four grandchildren. He also leaves his long-time companion Sheila Dunn

and many cousins, nieces and nephews; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on November 21, 1952, Joe Brady was the

son of Dolores and the late Joseph Richard Brady, Sr. He was the brother of Eileen Brady, Jane

Ledingham and her husband, Richard, and Stephen Brady and his wife, Pamela; and

     WHEREAS, Joe attended the University of Rhode Island, earning his Bachelor's degree

in 1975. Over the course of his long and distinguished career in public service, Joe was an

administrative aide in the United States Congress, Chief of Staff to the Rhode Island Senate

Majority Leader, Director of Constituent Services to the Rhode Island House of Representatives,

and Assistant to the Director of the Department of Transportation of Rhode Island. Most recently,

Joe had been elected to serve as the Secretary of the Rhode Island Senate, a constitutionally

appointed position; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his work at the State House, Joe was dedicated to giving back

to his community. He had served as the Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund,

was a faithful parishioner of St. Joseph's Church for more than thirty years, and had served as a

past president of St. Joseph's Parish Council. He had also served as past president of Gooseberry

Beach, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus; and

     WHEREAS, Extremely proud of his Irish heritage, Joe was a board member of the

Museum of Newport Irish History and a founding member of the Kinsale, Ireland – Newport

Twinning. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for the last 35 years, and

had served as Rhode Island State President, National Director and the Anti-Defamation chair

member, and was a member of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and had been very proud

to be a parade marshal; and

     WHEREAS, In 2010, Joe was the recipient of the Fenian Award, which is "presented to

area residents who have, through their charitable and volunteer work, made positive contributions

to the local community." He also had a beautiful voice and loved to sing and was a founding

member of "The Whiskey Tenors," and with the Newport Ancient Order of Hibernians Men's

Singers. Joe truly embodied the Hibernian motto of "Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity";

and

     WHEREAS, Joe Brady was a good and loyal friend, and a trusted and familiar face on

the floor of the Senate and in the halls of the State House. And in the Irish tradition we celebrate

his life: "May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine

warm upon your face. And rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God

hold you in the hollow of His hand"; now, therefore be it

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

hereby expresses our deepest sympathies to the entire Brady Family on the passing of Joseph

Richard Brady; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mrs. Dolores Brady, Amy Hansen, Katheryn

Brady, Joseph Brady, III and Shelia Dunn.

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