2022 -- H 7327

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LC004408

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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 JOHN GAROFALO, SR.

     Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Corvese, Kennedy,
Kazarian, Fellela, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: February 03, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

John Garofalo, Sr., of Westerly, the beloved husband of the late Gloria J. LoPresto Garofalo for

fifty-six years; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Garofalo was born in Middletown, Connecticut, a son of the late

Gaetano and Sebastiana Garofalo. At the age of two, he moved to Westerly when his father

became employed by the George C. Moore Company. He inherited his tireless work ethic from

his family and at the age of ten, began working at the Bridge, a shoe shining parlor where he

earned one dollar per day. He also worked at the Modern Grill and Bar, and caddied at the

Misquamicut Golf Club; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Garofalo attended the local public schools and the old Westerly High

School where he played on the varsity soccer team and ran cross country. His graduating class of

1937 was the last class to graduate from the old Westerly High School. After graduation, he

worked at Morrone’s Garage where owner Mike Morrone mentored him and introduced him to

the world of engineering; and

     WHEREAS, When the Second World War broke out, a vacant mill across the river in

Pawcatuck, Connecticut, was converted into a military factory. Mr. Garofalo worked there

specializing in propellers before going to Quonset Point to work for the Department of the Navy

in 1941; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Garofalo enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943. After completing

various levels of training, he was assigned to serve onboard the USS Lenoir, which served across

the Pacific. In recognition of his service to our nation, he was awarded the World War II Victory

Medal, the American Theater Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal; and

     WHEREAS, After the war, Mr. Garofalo worked as a civilian employee of the United

States Navy and Marines, serving in the Overhaul and Repair Departments at the Naval Air

Station at Quonset Point, the Naval Air Supply Office in Philadelphia, and the Naval Air Systems

Command Headquarters in Washington D.C. Thanks to his natural aptitude and expertise in

mechanics, he was quickly promoted from his duties at Quonset Point to serve in Philadelphia

supervising the gathering and assessment of all engineering data. He was once again promoted

and then transferred to Washington D.C., where he served in several important positions,

including being responsible for the Navy’s fixed wing and helicopters production during the

Korean War. He frequently met senior admirals at the White House to plan the future purchases

and world-wide maintenance of all Navy aircraft; and

     WHEREAS, In his last assignment, Mr. Garofalo served as the Program Manager of the

President’s fleet of helicopters during the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon presidencies. He would

later vividly recall meeting First Lady Jackie Kennedy and famed engineer Igor Sikorsky, the

inventor of the helicopter. When Lyndon Johnson became President, he wanted changes made to

the fleet, and proceeded to meet with Mr. Garofalo, once or twice a week, to discuss possible

adjustments; and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure in our nation’s capital, Mr. Garofalo was on call 24 hours

a day and was widely admired by his colleagues for his tireless work ethic and love for our

nation. When he retired from government service, he received the highest commendations for

pioneering and advancing logistic systems for many of our country’s leading edge military

aircraft; and

     WHEREAS, After retiring from the United States Navy and Marines, Mr. Garofalo,

proceeded to take a position with the Grumman Aerospace Corp., in Long Island, New York,

where he served in the engineering department and contributed to the development of support

programs for aircraft, space shuttles, and major supporting equipment before permanently retiring

and returning home to Westerly; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Garofalo leaves behind his children, John Garofalo, Jr., and Constance

Andrews. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law, Donald LoPresto, and numerous

grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Constance Cleary, Anne

Oslund, Jill White, Joseph Garofalo, and Arthur Garofalo; now, therefore be it

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

expresses its deepest condolences to the Garofalo Family on the passing of John Garofalo, Sr.;

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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 John Garofalo, Jr., and Constance Andrews.

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