2022 -- H 7045

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LC003595

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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 CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF WILLIAM J. "BILL"

FONTAINE, BATTALION CHIEF, CCFD (RET)

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Noret, Serpa, Casey, Hull, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Filippi, Messier, Kennedy, and Fellela

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

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William J. "Bill" Fontaine, CCFD, (RET), the beloved husband of Laurie C. Smith. He was born

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in Providence, a son of Jeanne Finnerty and the late Edward Finnerty; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Fontaine was a hard-working man his entire life who strove daily to

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provide for his family and loved ones and to protect the community. He had been the former

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proprietor of Bill's Package Store in the Harris section of Coventry for more than twenty years;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Fontaine began his distinguished firefighting career in 1980, when he

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joined the Harris Fire Department. Thanks to his tireless work ethic and sterling leadership

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qualities, Mr. Fontaine quickly rose through the ranks, and in 1988, was named the Chief of the

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Harris Fire Department, a position he held until it was merged with the Coventry Fire Department

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in 2006. He stepped down as Chief and became a Battalion Chief for the Central Coventry Fire

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Department until his retirement. He was well-regarded and highly respected by all of his

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colleagues and peers; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Laurie, and mother, Jeanne Finnerty, Mr. Fontaine

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leaves behind several nieces and nephews, and many friends. He also adored his two dogs, Penny

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and Chiefy; now, therefore be it

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

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expresses our deepest condolences to Laurie C. Smith and Jeanne Finnerty on the passing of

 

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William J. Fontaine, Battalion Chief, CCFD, (Ret); and 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 Laurie Smith and Jeanne Finnerty.

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