2020 -- S 2015

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LC003379

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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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 THE HONORABLE JUSTICE

DONALD FRANCIS SHEA, RETIRED ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE RHODE ISLAND

STATE SUPREME COURT

     

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

     Date Introduced: January 15, 2020

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

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     WHEREAS, The Honorable Donald Francis Shea was born in Pawtucket, on September

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14, 1925, to the late Edward and Lucy Shea. He was predeceased by his wife, Ursula Shea, and

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siblings, Leonard Shea, Natalie Blais, and Daniel Shea; and

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     WHEREAS, After graduating from high school, Justice Shea enlisted in the United States

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Navy in 1943, and served our nation with honor and distinction during World War II in both the

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European and Pacific theatres, participating in both the Invasion of Normandy and the Invasion of

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Okinawa; and

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     WHEREAS, After receiving his honorable discharge, Justice Shea enrolled in Providence

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College, attaining a Bachelor’s degree in 1950. He then moved to Washington, D.C., with his

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wife, Ursula, to attend law school at Georgetown University. After attaining his law degree, he

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practiced in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region before returning to Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, Justice Shea continued to practice law in Rhode Island while becoming

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active in state government. In 1960, he was elected to represent the Riverside neighborhood of

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East Providence in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, where he and his wife raised their

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family. Justice Shea served with distinction for eight years before leaving to become the

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Executive Assistant to Governor Frank Licht; and

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     WHEREAS, In 1972, Justice Shea began his distinguished career as a jurist when he was

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appointed to the Rhode Island Superior Court. He was elevated to the Rhode Island State

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Supreme Court in 1981, and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1995. Throughout his

 

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career, Justice Shea conducted himself with the utmost integrity and was well-respected and

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admired for his vast knowledge and understanding of complicated legal issues and their

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intersection with the law. He also proudly served as a mentor to innumerable young and aspiring

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lawyers; and

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     WHEREAS, Justice Shea gave much of his time in service to numerous charitable

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endeavors. He served as a volunteer with hospice patients and families with the Society of St.

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Vincent de Paul, and provided great comfort to many suffering people. He was also a passionate

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advocate for the disabled as a member of the Summit Club of East Providence, and played a

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crucial role, along with his friend and colleague, Justice Weisberger, in founding the Roger

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Williams Law School. Justice Shea also served on the President’s Council at Providence College;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Justice Shea is survived by his children, Donald Shea and his wife,

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Meredith, Michaela Shea McInnis, Christopher Shea and his wife, Brenda, Sara Shea McConnell

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and her husband, Jack, and Ellen Shea Reinhardt and her husband, Frederick. He also leaves

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behind eleven grandchildren, Michael Shea and his wife, Rocio, Meghan Shea, Julia and

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Stephanie McInnis, Caitlin Shea, Catherine, Margaret and John McConnell, Jessica Shea, Emily

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Shea and her husband, Morgan Dorn, and Samuel Reinhardt and two great-grandchildren, Henry

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and Meadowlark Shea. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews; now, therefore be it

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

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hereby expresses its deepest condolences to the Shea Family on the passing of the Honorable

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Justice Donald Francis Shea, Retired Associate Justice of the Rhode Island State Supreme Court;

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and be it further

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

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Donald E. Shea, Michaela Shea McInnis,

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Christopher Shea, Sara Shea McConnell and Ellen Shea Reinhardt.

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LC003379

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