2022 -- H 7012

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

RAYMOND H. JOHNSTON, JR.

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Felix, Tobon, Hull, Messier,
Alzate, Kazarian, Amore, and Solomon

     Date Introduced: January 06, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

of our friend and former member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, the Honorable

Raymond H. Johnston, Jr.; and

     WHEREAS, Ray, as he was known by his friends and family, was the son of the late

Maureen and Raymond Johnston Sr., the father of Raymond Johnston III, and the brother of

Laurie Boisclair, Paul Johnston, Kerrin Mitchell, Michael Johnston and the late Kenneth

Johnston. He was a life-long resident of the City of Pawtucket and had graduated from Saint

Raphael Academy and attended Roger Williams University, where he earned his degree in

Criminal Justice; and

     WHEREAS, Ray began his service to the people of the State of Rhode Island working at

the ACI and subsequently became an officer with the Pawtucket Police Department. After 28

years of service, he retired in 2016, at the rank of detective; and

     WHEREAS, On November 2nd of 2010, the Honorable Ray Johnston was elected to the

Rhode Island House of Representatives, serving his constituents in District 61, which

encompasses neighborhoods in the City of Pawtucket, and where for ten years, he never missed a

session; and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure with the General Assembly, Ray was named Deputy

Majority Leader, and was First Vice Chair of the Committee on Corporations and the Committee

on Oversight, and a member of the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and

the House Committee on Municipal Government. He was a strong advocate for the City of

Pawtucket and a defender and supporter of children, and had sponsored various bills on school

bus safety and a study commission on ways to prevent child abduction, exploitation, and abuse;

and

     WHEREAS, Ray was very active in and a longtime sponsor and supporter of the

Pineview Little league, where he had served as President. He had also been the assistant district

administrator of Little League Baseball in Rhode Island, and had been a volunteer at the

Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club, Pawtucket Youth Soccer, and St. Leo’s CYO Basketball. In

addition, he was a former member of Pawtucket Elks Lodge and was a current member of the

Attleboro Elks Lodge; and

     WHEREAS, An avid sport's fan, Ray followed the Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, and

the Providence College Friars. He was proud of his Irish heritage, loved corned beef sandwiches,

and had enjoyed riding motorcycles, skiing, bowling, going to the beach, camping at Fishermen’s

Memorial State Park in Narragansett and spending time with his family; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Raymond Johnston was a generous and caring gentleman,

and a dedicated public servant, who always lent a hand to help others, and he will be dearly

missed; now, therefore be it

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

extends deepest condolences on the passing of the Honorable Raymond Johnston; 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 Mr. Raymond Johnston, III.

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