2019 -- S 0948

========

LC002773

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

____________

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF ROCCO NEGRIS,

MAJOR GENERAL (RETIRED), UNITED STATES ARMY

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Goodwin, Gallo, and Algiere

     Date Introduced: June 05, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Mr. Rocco Negris, Major General (Retired), United States Army and

devoted husband of Joan Ann Negris, passed away in the company of his loving family. Mr.

Negris, born on July 4, 1931, was raised in North Providence and was the youngest of eight

children. He was a star athlete in multiple sports and was the Rhode Island State Cross-Country

Champion his senior year in high school. Mr. Negris went on to attend the University of Rhode

Island on a baseball scholarship, where he earned six varsity letters in both baseball and cross-

country, and served as the Captain of the Cross-Country Team and the Co-Captain of the Baseball

Team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education; and

     WHEREAS, Shortly after graduating from college, Mr. Negris began his distinguished

military career when he entered active duty in the United States Army. His military education

included graduating from the Armed Forces Staff College and the United States Army War

College. He also attained a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg

State College in Pennsylvania; and

     WHEREAS, General Negris served our nation with courage and valor during three tours

of duty in the Vietnam War. For his bravery and meritorious service, he was awarded the Silver

Star, Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit; and

     WHEREAS, General Negris served in numerous command positions during his

distinguished thirty-five year military career including as the Assistant Division Commander, Fort

Carson, Colorado, as Deputy Commanding General Fort Lewis, Washington, and finally as

Commanding General Fort Dix, New Jersey; and

     WHEREAS, In honor and recognition of his numerous achievements within the military

and in the State of Rhode Island, General Negris was inducted into the North Providence High

School Hall of Fame, the University of Rhode Island Athletic Hall of Fame, and the University of

Rhode Island ROTC Hall of Fame; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, General Negris leaves behind his children, James

Rocco Negris and Anne-Marie Negris Moccia. He is also survived by his sister, Aurora DeLuca,

son-in-law Robert Moccia, and grandchildren, Alexandra, Isabelle, and Robert; and

     WHEREAS, The passing of General Negris is a grievous loss for our nation, his family,

and his many friends. He will forever be remembered for his heroic and devoted service and the

memory of his abiding love for his family and valiant service to our nation will live on forever in

the hearts and minds of all who shared his extraordinary life; 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 Rocco Negris, Major General (Retired),

United States Army. We furthermore thank him for his valorous service to our nation; 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. Joan Ann Negris and Family.

========

LC002773

========

LC002773 - Page 2 of 2