2020 -- H 7647

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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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 THE HONORABLE

EDWARD P. SOWA, JR.

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, Lyle, Shekarchi, Filippi, and Blazejewski

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness and regret that this House has learned of the passing

of the Honorable Edward P. Sowa, Jr., beloved husband of Janet Sowa for fifty-two years,

cherished father of Kristen Chip and her husband, Patrick, and Jeffrey Sowa and his wife,

Jennifer, and the very proud grandfather of Cameron, Jordan, Cameron, Delaney, Benjamin,

Brendan, Brooke, and Brady; and

     WHEREAS, Born in the City of Pawtucket, a son of the late Isabelle and Edward Sowa,

Sr., Mr. Sowa was a graduate of St. Raphael's Academy, and received his Bachelor's degree from

the University of Rhode Island, and his Juris Doctor degree from Boston University. He also

served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Reserves 443rd Civil Affairs Company during the

Vietnam War; and

     WHEREAS, Upon graduation from law school and passing the Bar, Mr. Sowa joined the

firm of Gunning & LaFazia as a trial attorney and became a partner during his twenty-seven years

with the firm; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Edward Sowa was nominated to the Rhode Island Workers'

Compensation Court by former Governor Lincoln Almond. He served as an Associate Justice for

fifteen years, retiring in 2016. He had also served as a Probate Court Judge for the Town of

Lincoln; and

     WHEREAS, Also very active in the community, Justice Sowa volunteered for a number

of altruistic and civic organizations including serving as a Cub Scout Leader, Little League coach,

and religious education instructor. In addition, he was a 4th degree Knight in the Knights of

Columbus and had acted as Grand Knight, and had worked with young people through the Rhode

Island Mock Trial program, for which the program named the Sowa Cup championship trophy

award in his honor; and

     WHEREAS, Devoted to his faith, Justice Sowa was an active member of St. Eugene's

Catholic Church in Chepachet, where he often served as a Lector at Sunday Mass, was a

Eucharistic Minister, and a member of the parish financial committee; and

     WHEREAS, Proud of his Polish heritage, Justice Sowa loved to prepare Polish food,

dance the polka, sing Polish songs, and thoroughly enjoyed his involvement in the Polish Cultural

Commission and the Kosciuszko Foundation. He was also fond of traveling, bowling, playing

golf, and was an avid Patriots, Red Sox, and URI Rams fan; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Edward Sowa possessed a fair and magnanimous spirit, and

he will be profoundly missed by those who had the good fortune to be a part of his vital and

fulfilling life; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby expresses our deepest personal sympathies on the passing of the

Honorable Edward P. Sowa, Jr. He will forever be remembered by the entire membership and the

citizens of this State as a highly respected and admired judge who presided with fairness and

justice over the matters before the Rhode Island Workers' Compensation Court; 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. Janet Sowa and Family.

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