2019 -- S 0792

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LC002379

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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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 DAVID P. LEYS

     Introduced By: Senator Dawn M. Euer

     Date Introduced: April 04, 2019

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, David Price Leys, known to family and friends as “Bud” passed away on

April 2, 2019. He was the beloved husband of Judy for 67 years; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Leys was born in Newport, on July 14, 1930, a son of William and

Aline Leys. He attended Newport schools and graduated from Rogers High School in 1947. An

accomplished athlete, he played on his high school basketball and tennis teams. He was also a

member of the Hilton Athletic Club. Mr. Leys continued his education at Brown University,

graduating in 1951; and

     WHEREAS, After graduating from college, Mr. Leys returned to Newport and embarked

on a distinguished professional career for more than fifty years as the President and owner of

Leys Century Store, a family business begun by his father in 1912; and

     WHEREAS, Known for his business acumen, his vigorous support of downtown

Newport and his many years of service to the entire community, Mr. Leys leaves a legacy of

distinguished achievement that will be long remembered; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Leys had a long association with BankNewport, serving as President

and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He also served on the Board of Trustees and as the

interim CEO of the Preservation Society of Newport County and as the President of the Newport

County Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the years, he served the Newport community with

tireless energy in a host of other positions including leading the Newport Downtown Merchants

Decoration Committee, and being the longest serving volunteer fireman on the Newport Fire

department, serving with distinction for more than fifty years. Most recently, he helped to re-

establish the Newport Fireman’s Relief Association; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Leys received numerous awards honoring him for his service to the

community and his many charitable endeavors including the Newport Daily News Community

Service Award in 2007 and the statewide Jefferson Award for volunteer service from WJAR

Channel 10 in 2017; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Leys was devoted to his faith and was a lifelong parishioner of St.

Mary’s Church in Newport. He married his wife Judy at the church in 1952, and they attended

Mass together every Sunday. Mr. Leys also served as a Trustee for the church and helped them

raise $2.5 million for a restoration project; and

     WHEREAS, In his free time, Mr. Leys enjoyed spending time with his family and

playing tennis with his Friday night tennis group. He was also a member of the Newport Yacht

Club and loved sailing on the “Buwi”, the boat he shared with his brother Bill. An avid

conservationist, Mr. Leys had a passion for weather patterns and his forecasting was second to

none. This passion of his was so intense that he would begin his daily diary writing, something he

did and kept since the age of ten, with a written record of the day’s weather; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Leys was a beloved figure within the Newport community who will be

sorely missed by his family, friends and all who knew him. The reverence and regard in which he

was and is held speaks volumes about the kind of man that he was; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Leys is survived by his six children, Ellen Leys and her husband, Dave

Raboy, Kevin Leys and his wife, Midge, Paul Leys and his wife, Mardie Corcoran, Beth Leys,

Andrew Leys and his wife, Susan, and John Leys. He is also survived by his fifteen grandchildren

and his brother Bill Leys. Mr. Leys was predeceased by his son David Leys, Jr., and his sister,

Jean; now, therefore be it

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

hereby expresses its condolences on the passing of David P. Leys; 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 Ellen Leys, Kevin Leys, Paul Leys, Beth Leys,

Andrew Leys, and John Leys.

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LC002379

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