2020 -- S 2725

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LC004417

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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 LEO HÉROUX

     Introduced By: Senators Crowley, DiPalma, Ruggerio, Lynch Prata, and Conley

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2020

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Mr. Leo Héroux passed away on October 25, 2019. He was the devoted

husband of the late Anne-Marie Héroux of Normandy, France; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Héroux was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on September 21, 1923, son

of the late Fortunat Héroux and Anysie Héroux. While a young boy, Mr. Héroux and his family

moved to Central Falls, where he attended Sacred Heart Academy. He later worked as a dyeing

machine tender in Lincoln; and

     WHEREAS, During World War II, Mr. Héroux served our nation with honor, bravery,

valor and distinction as a member of the United States Army where he participated in the D-Day

landing at Omaha Beach in Normandy. For his service to our nation and to the French people, he

received the French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor Medal, and the American-

African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with Arrowhead; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Héroux would go on to meet the love of his life, Anne-Marie, shortly

after he landed at Normandy. They were married in Central Falls on January 25, 1947, and moved

to Coleville sur Mer in Normandy, France, where they lived for the next forty years. Mr. Héroux

returned to Central Falls after the passing of his wife; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Héroux’s service to our nation during World War II remained an

indelible part of his life until his passing. He participated in the Honor Flight of World War II

veterans to Washington D.C., and later placed a wreath at the Statue of General Rochambeau in

Newport to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. In 2006, Mr. Héroux, along with four

other World War II veterans from Rhode Island, returned to Normandy, France, to participate in

the documentary, “The Price of Freedom” by Tim Gray. He also took part in the Ribbon cutting

ceremony in 2018 for the opening of the WWII Foundation Center in South Kingstown. He also

enjoyed talking about his war experiences with Professor Regina Bell’s Communication Class at

the University of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Héroux leaves behind his four children, Norman Héroux and his wife,

Lilliane, Nancy Héroux and her husband, Giles Theriault, Béatrice Vial and her husband, Gérard,

and Leslie Héroux and his wife, Arlene. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren, ten great-

grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Héroux was the brother of the late Antonio,

Edouard, and Rodrique Héroux; now, therefore be it

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

hereby expresses its deepest condolences to the Héroux Family on the passing of Leo Héroux;

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 Norman Héroux, Nancy Héroux, Béatrice Vial,

and Leslie Héroux.

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LC004417

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