2021 -- H 6359

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LC002907

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES AND SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF THE

HONORABLE JOSEPH J. SOLOMON, SR.

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, McNamara, Shanley, Bennett,
Serpa, Vella-Wilkinson, Filippi, Kennedy, and O'Brien

     Date Introduced: May 25, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

of the Honorable Joseph Solomon, Sr., beloved husband and soulmate of the love of his life,

Cynthia Solomon for thirty-six years, the cherished and very proud father of our friend and

colleague, the Honorable Joseph Solomon, Jr., and the highly respected former Councilman and

Mayor of the City of Warwick; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Providence, Joe Solomon was the son of Rose Solomon and the late

Samuel Solomon, and the brother of RoseMarie Fontaine and her husband, Russell, Nancy

Armoush and her husband, Robert, Carol Paiva, Linda Maroun and her husband, Kenneth, and

Marilyn Solomon Bruzzese and her husband, Raymond. He was a graduate of Classical High

School and received an Accounting degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Providence College.

Continuing his education, he attained his Juris Doctor from New England School of Law in

Boston; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Solomon had made his home in the City of Warwick for more than four

decades. He served the City he loved as a nine-term councilman, with four terms as President,

and in 2018, was elected as the 15th Mayor of Warwick. He had also served as a municipal

judge, and was a business owner, accountant, and successful lawyer; and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure as Mayor and Councilman, the Honorable Joe Solomon

was a true champion of fiscal responsibility, economic development, superior City services, and

environmental protection, and expanding accessibility to Warwick's beautiful coastline, as well as

the improvement of infrastructure and municipal buildings in the City. He was particularly proud

of productively leading the City through the initial year of COVID with a budget surplus; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Solomon was described as "a self-made man who came from humble

beginnings and built several successful businesses" and a man who had "developed a reputation

as a tough but fair leader and a shrewd fiscal manager" who was known to have "a soft spot for

animals, the less-advantaged, and the elderly"; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mr. Solomon maintained close family ties with his

extended family including Donald and Maryanne Solomon, Jeannette Solomon, and Raphael

Azar, Sisters Catherine and Yasmine Azar, Susan (Azar) Farhart, former General Treasurer

Anthony J. Solomon and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his in-laws, Angela

and Walter Santos, and his aunts and uncles, Sarah Solomon, John Solomon, Sr., and Jean and

Tanous Azar; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Joe Solomon had a huge heart and a warm smile, and was

blessed with a large and loving family that he adored. He epitomized a dedicated civic servant

who gave more than two decades of his time and talents to the betterment of the people of

Warwick and he will be dearly missed; now, therefore be it

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

extends its heartfelt sympathy to the Solomon Family on the passing of the Honorable Joseph J.

Solomon, Sr.; 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 Mrs. Cynthia Solomon, Mrs. Rose Solomon,

and the Honorable Joseph J. Solomon, Jr.

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LC002907

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