2023 -- H 5139

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LC000679

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE JAMES

GORMAN HAGAN

     Introduced By: Representatives Newberry, Solomon, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Chippendale, J. Brien, Edwards, McGaw, McNamara, and Cortvriend

     Date Introduced: January 17, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with deepest sorrow that this House has learned of the passing of the

Honorable James Gorman Hagan, the beloved husband of Sheila for forty-nine years, the proud

father of Kelly Hagan and her husband, Richard Lumazza, and James Hagan and his wife,

Stephanie, and the cherished “Papa” of Mia Hagan Lumazza; and

     WHEREAS, “Jim” as he was known to family and friends, was the son of the late Joseph

Henry Hagan and Claire Gorman Hagan. He grew up in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Pawtucket

and attended La Salle Academy and Providence College, serving as President of his class for all

four years; and

     WHEREAS, Extremely proud and dedicated to his alma maters, Mr. Hagan was inducted

into the La Salle Hall of Fame in 2008, and served as MC for many LSA Hall of Fame induction

dinners. Upon graduation from PC, he remained a devoted and Faithful Friar, as a season ticket

holder for more than sixty years, and as the President of the Alumni Association and a longtime

member of the President’s Council; and

     WHEREAS, After graduating from college, Mr. Hagan served as a First Lieutenant in the

US Army Intelligence Corps. He later served as Senior Vice President in the international

division of Tupperware Worldwide for twenty-seven years; and

     WHEREAS, To the good fortune of all Rhode Islanders, the Honorable Jim Hagan chose

to devote his considerable talents and passion to political endeavors, initially as President of the

North Smithfield Town Council, and ultimately, with the love and support of his wife, Sheila,

who served as his de facto campaign manager and consigliere, he served for five terms as a

Rhode Island State Senator; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his family, employment, and politics, the Honorable Jim

Hagan served the people of Providence and our state as President of the Greater Providence

Chamber of Commerce for almost twenty years, and was the former President of the New

England Chamber of Commerce Executives Association and the Vice-Chairman of the American

Chamber of Commerce Executives Association. He took great pride in being an active member

and driving force on the ‘Providence Renaissance’ team that created the City’s celebrated

Waterfire, the television show ‘Providence’, the RI Convention Center, and the RI Business

Expo; and

     WHEREAS, Never one to remain idle, after retiring Mr. Hagan was the moderator of the

‘Lively Experiment’ on PBS for five years, and was an avid golfer who created and produced the

New England Golf Expo, was a former Director of the Sakonnet Golf Club, and was a Member of

the Sakonnet Point Club and the University Club. He was a board member of Collette Vacations,

Sovereign Bank, the Northern RI Advisory Board of Fleet Bank and a Corporator of the

Woonsocket Institution for Savings; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Jim Hagan led a glorious life filled with distinguished and

widely-admired accomplishments for which he was honored with the US Senator John H. Chafee

Distinguished Citizen Award and the North Smithfield Citizen of the Year Award; and

     WHEREAS, As a devoted family man, a role model, a mentor and inspiration, and a

loyal friend, Jim Hagan was a Rhode Island gem and a shining example of a life well lived, and

he will be dearly missed and always remembered; 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 James Gorman Hagan; 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 Sheila Hagan and Family.

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