Those We Lost in Rhode Island and Across the World in 2023

January, 2023

Official Obituary: Governor Lincoln Carter Almond Dies at 86

Lincoln Carter Almond, 86, of Kingston, RI and South Wellfleet, MA passed away on January 2, 2023. He was the beloved husband of Marilyn (Johnson) for 64 years. Marilyn was his foundation and his tireless caregiver in recent years. Born in Pawtucket and raised in Central Falls during the depression and World War II, he never forgot his working-class roots and the importance of hard work and sacrifice for the future. He was the devoted son of the late Thomas Clifton and Elsie Carter Almond, and the proud younger brother of the late Thomas C. Almond, Jr.

A graduate of Central Falls High School, he attended the University of Rhode Island and Boston University School of Law. He was inducted into both the Central Falls City Hall of Fame and the Central Falls High Athletic Hall of Fame. He also served in the U.S. Naval Reserve Submarine Service.

Although a lawyer by trade, the focus of his career was honest and dedicated public service. Starting at age 26, he served with distinction as Lincoln’s Town Administrator from 1963 to 1969. He had the foresight to preserve open space and to strategically balance residential and industrial development, which benefits Lincoln’s residents to this day. He was subsequently appointed as the U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island in 1969 and ultimately became one of the longest-tenured U.S. Attorneys in the Nation’s history. He served over 20 years from 1969-1978 and 1981-1993. As the State’s top Federal Prosecutor, he successfully took on organized crime and public corruption and was a trusted policy advisor to multiple U.S. Attorneys General. In 1994, he was elected as Rhode Island’s 72nd Governor and served two terms from 1995-2003. He governed as a political moderate who was fiscally conservative and socially compassionate. His Administration was recognized for expanding child health care benefits, strong economic development and job creation, and needed improvements to his beloved URI. At every stop in his career, he was blessed and grateful to have had the loyal support of countless talented and dedicated staff at every level.

He was a diehard Rhody Rams basketball fan and a fixture for years in Section 213 at the Ryan Center. Go Rhody! He enjoyed watching Red Sox and Patriots games, and walked endless miles with Marilyn over the years on the beaches of Wellfleet. He took pride in his yard and basked in nurturing and mowing his prized lawn. He also spent many contented hours laboring on his John Deere lawn tractor and could be seen riding on it this fall just days before his final hospitalization. But, most of all, he was a proud grandfather and would tell anyone who would listen about the exploits and successes of his five grandchildren. He was a great storyteller, and most were true.

In addition to Marilyn, he is survived by his son Lincoln Douglas Almond (Lynn) of Narragansett, RI and his daughter Amy Elizabeth Cubbage (Samuel) of Rockville, MD; and his five grandchildren Zachary, Chase and Kevin Almond and Emily and Sarah Cubbage. He also leaves his best friend and political confidant John A. Holmes, Jr., and was predeceased by his loyal and trusted mentor Raymond A. LaFazia, Esq. In Governor Almond’s memory, donations may be made to the Governor and Mrs. Lincoln Almond Scholarship Fund through the URI Foundation, 79 Upper College Rd., Kingston, RI, 02881. The Fund supports scholarships to Rhode Island resident students in financial need. Final arrangements are private at his request. 

January, 2023

RI Social Justice Activist John D. Glasheen Dies at 85

John D. Glasheen, 85, died of liver cancer on January 2, 2023, at his home in Usquepaugh (West Kingston), Rhode Island. John was a husband, father, lifelong social justice activist and appreciator of live music, especially jazz and blues. He was executive director of Rhode Island’s South County Community Action Program in the 1990s and taught in Brown University’s education department in the 1970s. In the last weeks of his life, family and friends had gathered close to give comfort and share their love and appreciation of John with him and his wife Susan Strakosch.

John often said the story of the twists and turns in his life were captured in the John Hartford song, “I would not be here if I hadn’t been there.” His life was shaped by the times in which he lived, his friends and family, and some of the most critical struggles of our times, such as ending the Vietnam War and promoting civil rights and marriage equality. John was indebted to thinkers such as Frank Boyden, legendary headmaster of Deerfield Academy, and progressive politicians including Eugene McCarthy, Walter Mondale and Bernie Sanders. It was uncommon to know John without learning about fictional characters who influenced his early years, such as Chip Hilton, the basketball-playing star of the 1950s boys’ books and the rags-to-riches hero Horatio Alger.

John grew up in Northampton, Massachusetts, the youngest of four children born to William and Marion (Dougherty) Glasheen. He often said he was an only child of a single mother in a family of four, since his siblings were more than 15 years older than him and he never knew his father. His childhood revolved around family, school, reading, sandlot baseball and, later, football, which he played at his beloved Deerfield Academy and Brown University.

In his rich and varied career John was a social studies teacher and football coach at Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, and Mt. Greylock Regional High School in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Later he was a textbook developer who promoted wholesale changes in how history is taught; a PhD student at Harvard University’s School of Education; a popular Brown University instructor who worked to provide better educational opportunities for students in urban schools; and an administrator at two Rhode Island anti-poverty agencies.

In retirement, John was often seen at the Rhode Island statehouse with his fellow Unitarian Universalists, promoting social justice issues, such as affordable housing, sensible gun regulation and new approaches to our nation’s criminal justice and immigration systems. He was also able to pursue his longtime interest in music by attending as many live performances as possible—at the Met Café, Lupo’s and Nick-A-Nees in Providence in the early years and more recently in Newport and at Peace Dale’s Pump House.

John was lucky in friends and family. He was an active participant in the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County Rhode Island, enjoyed the church’s men’s group and spoke at many of the church’s Martin Luther King birthday celebrations about meeting Martin Luther King in 1967. He leaves his wife of 31 years, Susan Strakosch, of West Kingston. He will be missed by his three children and their families: Leah Glasheen (Matthew MacWilliams) of Baltimore, Maryland; John (Jiva) Glasheen of Alachua, Florida; and Megan Glasheen of East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He is survived by grandchildren Patrick MacWilliams of Saratoga Springs, New York; Benjamin MacWilliams (Emily Field) of Seattle, Washington; Allegra MacWilliams of Baltimore, Maryland; Chitra Lehka Glasheen of Alachua, Florida; and Simone Liu of New York City. He is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and dear friends whose fellowship he greatly appreciated throughout the years.

Services will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County in Peace Dale, Rhode Island, on March 25, 2023, followed by a reception at the church and, later, a celebration at the nearby Pump House Music Works. Should you feel moved to memorialize John, please work to elect leaders who support social justice, economic security and healthcare for all.

January, 2023

WWII Medic Raymond Ardente, Jr., of Cranston Dies at 101

Raymond Ardente, Jr., 101, of Cranston, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on January 7, 2023, at home. He was the beloved husband of the late Angela (Spinelli) Ardente.  

Born in Providence, a son of the late Raimondo and Carmella (DiOrio) Ardente, he had been a Cranston resident since 1961.  Mr. Ardente was a U.S. Army Veteran serving as a medic in World War II.  He served many years as a volunteer for the Catholic Charity Fund supporting many causes, a communicant of Immaculate Conception Church, St. Joseph’s Men’s Guild, and an honorary member of the Alpine Country Club.  

Mr. Ardente was one of the founders and officer of Ardente Supply Co., in Providence.  He was a humble person with a strong work ethic who enjoyed golfing, bowling, dancing, and will be remembered by his family as a wonderful husband, father, provider and loving grandfather and great-grandfather.  He will also be remembered by his employees and customers as engaging, supportive and accommodating, especially for his service with the tradesmen.

He was the last of eight siblings to pass.  He is survived by his loving children, Kathy Parker and her late husband Robert O’Meara of Warwick, Diane Ardente of Johnston, Janice Flynn and her husband David of Scituate, and Ray Ardente and his companion Gail Bokowsky of Bristol.  He was the cherished grandfather of seven, great-grandfather of four and was the brother of the late Genaro, Alfred, Beatrice, Ann, Esther, Arthur and Ernest Ardente,

January, 2023

Singer Lisa Marie Presley, Only Child of Elvis Presley, Has Died at 54

Lisa Marie Presley, the singer-songwriter and only child of Elvis Presley, died on Thursday after a medical emergency and a brief hospitalization. She was 54.

“Priscilla Presley and the Presley family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie,” Sam Mast, a representative for Priscilla Presley, said in a statement. “They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”

According to multiple reports earlier in the day, Priscilla Presley said in a statement that her daughter had been receiving medical attention but did not share more information.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement on Thursday that it had responded to a call about a woman in Calabasas, Calif., who was “not breathing” but did not further specify the person’s condition.

Singer Lisa Marie Presley, the Only Child of Elvis Presley, Has Died at 54 PHOTO: Courtesy of the Everett Collection

January, 2023

Former RI GOP Chair During the “Golden Years” Leila W. Mahoney Dies at 81

Leila W. Mahoney, 81, of Port Charlotte, FL (formerly of Grantham, NH; Providence and Bristol, RI) died peacefully on January 3, 2023 of glioblastoma. She was born Leila Alice White in 1941 to Willard and Mary White in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

PHOTO: L-R Leila Mahoney, U.S. Senator John Chafee and Secretary of State Susan Farmer 1986

While on the staff of Governor Ed DiPrete, she was the brainchild of Rhode Island's Bay Day.

After graduating from Monmouth College, Leila launched her career at White Weld in New York. Leila married her husband Bob in 1966 and moved to Rhode Island where she applied her boundless energy and knack for getting things done to a variety of professional and philanthropic efforts. She was a Republican leader in Rhode Island, where she was Chairwoman of the Republican Party and held other senior leadership positions in both the state and the city of Providence. She led fundraising for Providence’s public TV station, was also a volunteer and officer for the Junior League of Providence, and served on the Board of Trustees of the Rhode Island Zoological Society. Leila was then an award-winning real estate agent in Grantham New Hampshire for 10 years before retiring.

Leila met Bob on a blind date in Rhode Island and loved to joke that she almost didn’t go since anyone who owned a boat ought to be able to get their own dates! Notwithstanding that early misunderstanding, Leila and Bob lived a joyful life together for 56 years. Leila treasured her family and friends. Leila was known in Providence, Grantham and Port Charlotte as the absolute best host of dinner parties and tailgates, the most loyal and dedicated friend, and a remarkable mother and grandmother. She was famous for winning New Year’s Eve Dance contests with her grandchildren (mostly because the dog always got the tie breaking vote), singing Happy Birthday loudly (over the phone, if necessary) for each loved one’s birthday whether they wanted it or not, and for not taking “no” for an answer. Her love, resolve and energy lifted everyone around her.

Leila was predeceased by five days by her husband Bob. She is survived by her sister Maureen of Indiana, her daughter Ellie Loughlin (husband Phil, children Christopher and Katie) of Boston, MA and her son Thomas (wife Julie, sons Thomas and Joseph) of Mount Pleasant, SC.

January, 2023

OSS During WWII, Virginia Rathbun Stuart Dies at 101

Virginia Rathbun Stuart was born in Providence, RI on the 29th of July,1921; the daughter of Rodman Gardiner Rathbun and Lillian Nevin Rathbun; both descended from families established in 17th century RI. She attended Lincoln School, graduated from Skidmore College and was summarily recruited by the OSS for administrative duties regarding the activities of WWII intelligence gathering and dissemination. She was assigned first to the North Africa Cairo Desk, then briefly to Italy with her final operations location in China. During her assignment in China, she met and married her husband Colonel Gilbert Stuart (dec’d 1973), an Australian fully commissioned in the Chinese Nationalist 5th Army under General Tu Yu-Ming; engaged in commando and training exercises with the OSS.

Upon her return to Providence, Virginia entered a career of communications and broadcasting as one of the first women in on-air broadcast TV while working for Capital Cities Broadcasting at WPRO-TV in Providence, RI, from 1955 to 1963. In 1963 she moved with her family to Honduras, where Col. Stuart, a mining engineer by profession, was engaged in exploratory gold and quicksilver mining. After some years in Central America, she established residence in Washington, DC and was engaged as a specialist media consultant with the office of John Gardner, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. Her penchant for aid and justice for humankind led her career to many challenging and successful ventures with a variety of nonprofit and health organizations; Executive Director of Call for Action; Director of National Volunteer Awards; Director of Tune In New York; Director of Public Relations at Children’s Hospital, Boston; Director Public Relations at St Clare’s Hospital, NYC dealing with communications and media coverage of the first designated AIDS unit in 1980’s New York City.

Virginia retired in 1990 and returned to Providence, RI whence she married Elisha Howard III (dec’d) 2008.

Virginia was a member of the Office of Strategic Services Society, the Providence Art Club, the RISD Museum, Preserve Rhode Island, RI Historical Society and Grace Episcopal Church in Providence. She supported efforts in Native American education as well as several organizations engaged in environmental and animal protection.

Virginia is survived by four children, Clair S. Green, Ann D. Stuart, Mary G. Stuart and Gilbert R. Stuart, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sisters Edith Nevin Rathbun of Providence, RI and Ruth Rathbun Pitman of Madera, CA.

January, 2023

South Kingston Police Chief and Former RISP Vincent Vespia Dies at 84

Loving husband of Judith-Ann Vespia; loving father of Renee Caouette and her husband Ron, Robin Vespia and the late Rhonda Vespia, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Vespia; loving grandfather of Dylan Gershkoff, Tyler Gershkoff, Dante Caouette and the late Chad O’Brien; brother of Jay Vespia and the late Robert Vespia. 

"Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."

January, 2023

Hall of Fame Sports Broadcaster Billy Packer Dies at 82

Legendary sportscaster Billy Packer has died at 82. 

Born in Wellsville, New York, the basketball broadcaster played at Wake Forest and led the team to two ACC titles and a Final Four appearance in 1962.

Packer, who began his network broadcast career with NBC in 1974 before moving over to CBS in 1981, worked 34 Final Fours. 

His broadcast partners over the years included Dick Engberg, Jim Thacker, Brent Musburger, Jim Nantz, and more. 

Packer was also the author of Hoops, Why We Win, and a number of other basketball books.

He was inducted into the National Sports Media Association’s Hall of Fame in 2016. 

Billy Packer at his National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame induction. PHOTO: YouTube

January, 2023

Former Providence Superintendent of Schools Joseph A. Almagno Dies at 81

Joseph A. Almagno, 81, former Superintendent of Providence Public Schools, died on January 22, 2023.  He was married to Marie (Mansolillo) Almagno for 59 years. He was the second son born to the late Stephen Almagno and the late Theresa (LaFazia) Almagno. He was born and lived most of his life in Providence.  Subsequent to his retirement, he and Marie relocated to Naples, Florida.  Joe always credited Marie as “the person who kept me alive.”

He was the father of Dr. Stephanie Almagno of Alto, Georgia and her husband Rodolfo Valadez; Stephen Almagno of North Providence, Rhode Island and his wife Cynthia Almagno.  He was the brother of Fr. Stephen Almagno, OFM of New York City.

In addition, Joe leaves behind his precious grandchildren: Isabella Valadez of Alto, Georgia, Jenna Almagno of North Providence, Rhode Island, and Christian (CJ) Almagno also of North Providence, Rhode Island.

In accordance with Joe’s wishes, all funeral/burial arrangements are private. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at a later date.

January, 2023

Actress Cindy Williams, Who Played Shirley in “Laverne & Shirley,” Dies at 75

Cindy Williams, the actress best known for her role in the 1970s slapstick sitcom “Laverne & Shirley,” has died. She was 75.

“The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed,” the family statement read. “Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.”

Along with Penny Marshall, Williams starred in the sitcom which ran from 1976 to 1983 and was a spinoff of the television show “Happy Days.” It followed two young single women working at a Milwaukee brewery in the 1950s.

Williams played Shirley Feeney.

Marshall, who played Laverne, died in December 2018 due to complications from diabetes at her home in Hollywood Hills.

“Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Penny Marshall. Penny was a girl from the Bronx who came out West, put a cursive ‘L’ on her sweater and transformed herself into a Hollywood success story. We hope her life continues to inspire others,”  the Marshall family had said in a statement to the New York Post at Marshall's passing. 

February, 2023

Adrian Hall — The Man Who Made Trinity Rep a National Treasure — Dies at 95

Adrian Hall, the founding artistic director at Trinity Rep. and the person who was most responsible for launching the theatre to national fame, has died.

He was 95.

Under Hall, Trinity Rep. won a Tony Award in 1981.

He was born in Van, Texas. His death was announced on social media by his long-time friend Dan Butler.

His directing style was described as "bold" by the New York Times, and his work was considered part of the first- and second-generation regional theater movement of the 1960s and late 1980s.

Hall not only put Trinity on the map, but also made Providence a creative hub.

Trinity was selected to produce Oscar Wilde's "Feasting with Panthers" for PBS' Theater in America series. The New York Times wrote in its review, "The whole works beautifully, not least because of a splendid performance by Richard Kneeland in the role of Oscar Wilde. It is always, no matter the circumstances, the portrait of a man. Mr. Kneeland has rescued Wilde from the gallery of acting grotesques that have haunted his memory. He and the rest of the Trinity Square Repertory Company, most notably Mr. Hall, can claim credit for outstanding theater and television."

He led Trinity until 1986. For his three final years, he split his time between Providence and the Dallas Theater Center in Texas. Ultimately he left for Dallas. And just three years later, he had creative differences and was directing in Los Angeles and beyond.

February, 2023

Providence’s Eugene Lee — Set Designer for SNL, Tonight Show, and Trinity Has Died at 83

Eugene Lee, one of America’s most celebrated set designers, has died at 83.

His passing comes just days after his long-time friend Adrian Hall died. The two were leaders in establishing Trinity Rep in Providence as one of America’s leading regional theaters.

As GoLocal wrote about Lee:

if you have watched Saturday Night Live, the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon or many a production of A Christmas Carol at Trinity Rep, you have seen the work of Eugene Lee. He is one of America’s most creative and accomplished set designers.

The Providence resident has won three Tonys for Wicked, Sweeney Todd, and Candide. He has won multiple Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Set Design and has won an Emmy for the design of the set for Saturday Night Live.

He is a member of the American Theater Hall of Fame.

Lee was one of the longest-tenured members of the Saturday Night Live production team, beginning with the premiere in 1975.

The Emmy & Tony-award winning designer was responsible for some of the greatest set designs in SNL history.

His death was first reported by The Saturday Night Network.

February, 2023

Burt Bacharach Dies at 94

Composer and songwriter Burt Bacharach has died at the age of 94. 

The six-time Grammy Award winner and three-time Academy Award winner co-wrote such hits as “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” and “That’s What Friends Are For.”

According to the New York Times, his publicist Tina Brausam confirmed the death. She declined to specify a cause.

“A die-hard romantic whose mature style might be described as Wagnerian lounge music, Mr. Bacharach fused the chromatic harmonies and long, angular melodies of late-19th-century symphonic music with modern, bubbly pop orchestration, and embellished the resulting mixture with a staccato rhythmic drive,” wrote the Times. “His effervescent compositions epitomized sophisticated hedonism to a generation of young adults only a few years older than the Beatles.”

People magazine named him one of the "Sexiest Men Alive" in 2000 and one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in 1999.

In 2009, he received an honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music. 

The award was presented to him during the Great American Songbook concert, which paid tribute to his music

Burt Bacharach in 1972. PHOTO: Wiki/Public Domain

February, 2023

Actress Raquel Welch Dies at 82

American actress Raquel Welch has died at 82. 

Known for her roles in such films as Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years B.C. — where she famously donned a doe-skin bikini that made her an international sex symbol — Welch won a Golden Globe in 1974 for her role The Three Musketeers.

She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994. 

Playboy in 1998 named the 100 sexiest female stars of the 20th century, and Welch came in third — after Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield. Brigitte Bardot was fourth.

“Throughout her career, Ms. Welch was publicly admired more for her anatomy than for her dramatic abilities,” reported The New York Times. “She even called her 2010 book — a memoir cum self-help guide — “Beyond the Cleavage.”

In Rhode Island, she appeared on the cover of a Ross-Simons catalog. 

February, 2023

The DaVinci Center’s John DeLuca Dies at 85

The DaVinci Center has suffered a great loss, in that John DeLuca, our Executive Director passed away Wednesday night, March 1st, 2023, and has gone to meet the Good Lord.  John has served the community of the North End of Providence and the surrounding areas with an unmatched passion as well as an unwavering dedication for the past 50 years.

John DeLuca was able to always see the best in everyone and never saw anyone as beyond help. He was always wholeheartedly dedicated to helping everyone he encountered. He was truly a Good Samaritan and had an enormous influence on everyone he met. Despite our immense sadness currently, we also look back at this time as one of Thanksgiving in having known John.

All we can hope is that we can follow in his footsteps and continue to serve those in need.

March, 2023

Awarded Two Silver and Two Bronze Stars, Colonel Gerald F. Dillon of Narragansett Dies

Colonel Gerald F. Dillon, USA (Ret.), of Narragansett, RI and Satellite Beach, FL, died March 2, 2023 after a courageous and valiant battle with leukemia.

Born in Providence, he was the son of the late James J. and Kathleen M. (Cournoyer) Dillon.

Col. (Ret.) Dillon is survived by his son Ryan and his wife Cristina Lanaro, and their daughters, Zoe and Eva; his daughter Kelly and her husband Stephen Fitzpatrick, and their daughters Kylie and Ireland; his brother Matt (James), sisters Kato (Brennan), Maggi (Duncan), and Mary Patricia; his former wife Judy Mulligan; many nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren and friends, all of whom loved him dearly.

A true Rhode Island native, Gerry graduated from La Salle Academy in 1964 and Providence College in 1968. He also received a Masters Degree from Providence College in 1974 and conducted doctoral studies at Salve Regina University.

He was an Army Airborne-Ranger Infantryman with more than 30 years of active military service. He was proud to have spent his entire military career with troops and never a day in Washington, DC. He commanded three Infantry Companies, two Infantry Battalions (one of them a Ranger Battalion) and two Infantry Brigades. He was an Infantry Division Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff of a multinational force. He served in Vietnam and was awarded two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars with Valor, and the Purple Heart.

After his active military service, he taught at the U.S. Naval War College and then moved to Rome, Italy, where he was the Director of Operations for the Multinational Forces and Observers which monitors the peace accord between Egypt and Israel.

After retirement, he continued civilian service as an advocate for veterans and fellow survivors. He was an energetic leader in the alumni communities of La Salle Academy and Providence College, and mentored Providence College ROTC cadets. He remained close with his fellow Vietnam brethren from Charlie Co 2nd/502 and never missed his annual PC Cape Cod golf outing where he supplied the biscotti and limoncello.

In 2018, he received the Personal Achievement Award from the Providence College National Alumni Association and he will be inducted into the La Salle Academy Hall of Fame this fall. He also received the National Infantry Association's Primicerius award of the Order of St. Maurice for exemplary service as an infantryman.

Things he always appreciated in life were simple manners, a firm handshake, loyalty, hard work, a good joke (clean or not), sharing stories and raising a glass with family and friends. Beyond his brilliant military career, Dad often said that his greatest legacy is his children and grandchildren. His love for family was absolute.

In Dad's words, he was given the green light from the Big Ranger in the Sky and has moved on to the Ranger Objective.

March, 2023

Former Top Cianci Aide Frank E. Corrente Dies at 94

Frank E. Corrente, 94, born November 25, 1928 in Providence, Rhode Island passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023. He was the loving husband to the late Thelma J. (Sbardello) Corrente who passed only nineteen days before her husband of nearly 70 years.  He was the son of the late Emilia and Peter Corrente.   He was the father of Colleen Corrente and her husband, Jack Hanley, of Delray Beach, Florida and of Darren and his wife Christen (Coia) Corrente of Rumford, Rhode Island and the proud “Poppy” of Catherine Corrente of New York City and Nicholas Corrente of San Francisco.   

Frank, a World War II veteran, served three years as a Sergeant in the US Air Force stationed as a radio operator in Romania as allied forces executed the Marshall Plan.  In 1952 he graduated from Bryant College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.   He was a public accountant and served in many governmental roles.

He was the Head of Personnel for the State of Rhode Island under Governor John Notte. He served in numerous capacities in the City of Providence over thirty years including Chief of the Fiscal Division of the Providence Redevelopment Agency, Controller, Finance Director and Director of Administration.  

Frank was quick-witted and loved to tell a joke or amusing story.  He had a passion for golf and was a member of the Metacomet Country Club for over thirty years.  Frank loved his Italian heritage and was a member of the Aurora Civic Association. Above all he loved spending time with family and friends. 

March, 2023

Brown University Student and Rhode Islander John Owen Habib Dies

A native Rhode Islander and Brown University student has passed away after being in a coma after suffering a "catastrophic" fall overseas. 

The family of John Owen Habib said he broke his spine and femurs in a fall in Morocco — and had been trying to raise funds to bring him back to the U.S. for treatment. 

Brown University announced Habib's passing on Tuesday afternoon: 

"We write to share the heartbreaking news that John Owen Habib, a Brown undergraduate, died this morning as the result of injuries suffered abroad during a tragic hiking accident days earlier. John Owen was a beloved member of the Brown community, and we invite you to join us in remembering him.

John Owen was a junior concentrating in Chinese, philosophy and economics, and he was fluent in Mandarin. He was actively engaged with a wide variety of student organizations and activities, including the Brown Private Equity Club, which he co-founded; the Brown Journal of Philosophy, Politics and Economics; the Brown/RISD Arab Society; Syrian Youth Education; the Economics DUG; and the Chess Club.

Raised in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, John Owen was a proud graduate of Portsmouth Abbey School where he was editor-in-chief of The Beacon and created its first online platform for newscasts, podcasts and other content. During his high school years, he founded the Mind and Market Club to serve his peers and engage them in discussions that fostered interest in concepts of business, economics and business psychology. 

A young entrepreneur who cared deeply about his roots, John Owen also founded Island Time Co., a nonprofit clothing company whose proceeds are donated to the Bahamas Hurricane Restoration Fund, an organization based in the country home to many of his extended family members. He was a talented self-taught guitar player who loved all types of music, and an avid tennis player who served as senior captain and played varsity doubles during his time in high school. 

John Owen will be fondly remembered by his loved ones and peers, and we recognize the impact his loss will have both in the Brown community and beyond.

March, 2023

Reverend Mother Diana “Red Doe” Spears Mars of Charlestown Dies at 84

Reverend Mother Diana “Red Doe” Spears Mars, 84, of Charlestown, entered into the presence of our Creator on April 11, 2023. She is the daughter of Russell G. Spears and Grace Babcock (Brown) Spears, and wife of David K. Mars Sr. Diana was born in Westerly, RI and lived her life on the Indigenous homelands of her people, the Narragansett. She served the broader New England community as a beloved minister/Pawwaw of the Gospel and educator, she was also known as a vibrant fashionista, avid partaker of the arts, skilled songstress, gifted orator, gardener, and writer—this list is just a window into a multifaceted life that was lived with intention.

Diana’s calling to serve came early in life. As the eldest of twelve siblings, she learned how to “love rightly” as she fed into the lives and spirits of her younger siblings Russell Jr., Holly, Robin, Lance, Starr, Craig, Forest, Melody, Lake, Autumn, and Sky. Diana met her lifelong partner at the age of eighteen and, after deciding on the shores of Watchaug Pond that their love story was indeed “bigger than the both of them,” they embarked on a sixty-five-yearlong adventure.

During the mid-seventies, she played in the Westerly Women's Softball League and was a member of several championship-winning teams, including the first undefeated team in league history. Over the years, Diana pursued many passions and always maintained a love for learning in formal educational institutions and in the greater school of life. She worked in the Admissions Office of URI for twenty years before ministering at Narragansett Indian Church. There, in her role as a spiritual leader, her writing and sermons edified and sanctified those who were privileged to hear them. As a woman who embodied the Fruit of the Spirit, she used her voice to advocate for diplomacy and right-relations within the congregation and the broader community. But greater than all of her formal achievements and capabilities, was her mission of love to all who knew her, but most ardently, to her family.

Diana is a church, as Ephesians 5:25-27 defines it, not just for her husband, but for our entire family and is regarded and esteemed as such. As the mother to India “Misty,” Tawny, David “Jeff,” and Heather Angel, she worked tirelessly to ensure that our lives were vibrant and enriched with the tenets of Gods laws; we have all benefited from her nurturing and resolute character. This Matriarchal spirit carried over in her role as the Grandmama/Marmere to Nicole, Rene, Pepito, Amber, Jonn, Kodiak, Keyokah, Kianna, Sage, and Kimonee and the delighted great-grandmother to eleven. She has left an indelible mark on each and every corner of our lives. We will always hold on to countless joyful memories with her, from her boundless sense of humor and sharp wit, landscaping escapades, and pool parties, to singing in the car, impromptu dances in the kitchen, weekend hunts for the latest “goodie of the week,” and (our favorite) late-night ruminations on the meaning of life, and for that we will be eternally grateful as her spirit continues to live on in and through us.

The Huntress will forever be remembered for the beauty she brought into the lives of everyone she knew. This included her fashion sense, from her assortment of millinery, and endless pairs of (supposedly distinct) black “elephant pants,” to her countless heels, and treasured collection of jewelry large enough to adorn a small nation, her selections garnished every wall of her home that she built with her own hands alongside her beloved David. Her love of color and beauty extended outside the bounds of her abode as was displayed by her landscaping skills. This family was blessed to be able to partake in her beautification efforts in any way they were expressed. However, the most beautiful thing of all was Diana’s grace-filled heart and spirit and there are no words that can do them justice.

Diana is the matriarch of a large family and leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones. Although she will be missed by those listed here and innumerable more, today we celebrate a life purposefully-lived. As Proverbs 31:30-31 states: “charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate,” and we are here to sing her praises as she enters the gates of the Holy City.

Your footsteps were ordered and ordained, Diana/ Marm/ Grandmama/ Marmere/ Nanay/ Red Doe, and you have fulfilled them valiantly. Let the wind kiss your face and the sunshine forever be on your courageous and stalwart back! This family will carry on your example going forward. Cowàmmaunsh!

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Mark 5:34.

A Celebration of Life will be announced. 

March, 2023

Senate Majority Whip Goodwin Dies at 58

Rhode Island State Senator Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) has died after a long battle with cancer.

Goodwin was one of the highest-ranking women in Rhode Island Senate history and a noted fighter for working people and the poor.

She served in the Senate representing Smith Hill since she was first elected in 1986.

Goodwin was born on September 27, 1964, and was a graduate of St. Patrick High School and Rhode Island College.

She was employed by the City of Providence for many years. 

Among her many appointments and achievements, she served on the Water Resources Board; Internship Commission; Permanent Advisory Commission on Women; R.I. Veterans Home Commission; Board of Directors, Smith Hill Center; Smith Hill Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission; Providence 12th Ward Democratic Committee; Providence Democratic City Committee (1984-86); and was a delegate of the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention (1986).

SEE STATEMENTS FROM RI POLITICAL LEADERS BELOW

Senate Condolences 

On Saturday, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio shared the following statement: 

“Our hearts are shattered by the news that our beloved colleague Maryellen Goodwin has passed away. Her accomplishments are numerous, and her legacy will be indelible.

Maryellen made an unforgettable impact on all of us in the Senate, and on all who knew her. She lit up every room she entered with an infectious smile and razor-sharp wit. Our lives are richer for having known her.

Maryellen’s impact on Smith Hill, Providence, and our entire state will be felt for generations. She stood fearlessly for what was right, fighting for the voiceless, vulnerable and underprivileged. Her leadership led to passage of landmark laws improving lead poisoning prevention, the child care industry, domestic violence prevention, public safety, worker protections, access to health care, home care and nursing home safety, and so much more.

The law that bears her name, the Maryellen Goodwin Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, is among the many she sponsored that is saving lives. Her dedication to the cause of improving cancer prevention, research and treatment predates her own diagnosis and courageous battle with the disease.

While all Rhode Islanders will benefit from the initiatives she shepherded into law, it is the impact she had on those of us blessed to have known her that I think of first today. I am grateful that I knew her, and saw firsthand her heart of gold, her sense of humor, and the love she so selflessly gave to all who knew her. I will always cherish the many happy memories we shared.

As our Senate family grieves, we send our deepest, heartfelt condolences to Maryellen’s sisters, Sheila and Maureen; her nieces and nephews, upon whom she doted; her partner Charles Fogarty; her close friend Kristen Silvia; and the countless others who, like us, are devastated by this news.” 

The Senate Majority Office shared the following on Saturday: 

Born and raised in the Smith Hill neighborhood she represented in Senate District 1, she became known for her work on behalf of her neighborhood, quality elder care, domestic violence prevention, improved health care, and much more.

For many years she had championed legislation to promote cancer awareness and improve treatments. The Maryellen Goodwin Colorectal Cancer Screening Act was named in her honor. The legislation, which Senator Goodwin had sponsored since prior to her own diagnosis, requires insurers to fully cover preventative screenings and colonoscopies. Among those who have recognized her leadership to improve cancer prevention and treatment are the American Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network, the Rhode Island Dermatology Society, and the Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University.

She championed the legislative effort that ensured viability of nursing homes, providing a foundation for a new reimbursement system for nursing homes and outlining the parameters for the system to benefit the state’s elderly and disabled populations. For her work on this issue, she was recognized with the “Making a Difference Award” by Leading Age Rhode Island, a coalition of non-profit long-term care providers.

She sponsored the Nursing Home Staffing & Quality Care Act, which sets minimum standards of care and protects both residents and employees in long-term care settings.

Senator Goodwin has also been recognized by the home and hospice care industry for her work to ensure Rhode Islanders can access quality home health care services during their times of need. Her efforts included enactment of legislation to ensure planning is taking place that allows seniors to remain in their homes as they age. She was named “Legislative Champion” by the Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care.

She also worked to ensure quality of home-based child care.

Senator Goodwin was a strong advocate for her Smith Hill neighborhood. She worked to arrange for volunteers to provide graffiti removal in the neighborhood, while also winning enactment of legislation to provide stronger penalties for defacing property.

She shepherded numerous domestic violence prevention bills into law, including the landmark Homicide Prevention Act, which requires individuals subject to restraining orders to surrender their firearms, as well as legislation providing that individuals convicted of felony domestic assault surrender their firearms.

She sponsored various pieces of legislation expanding the definition of domestic violence to include arson, burglary, the damage to or obstruction of a telephone, cyberstalking and cyber-harassment, and covert tracking of a motor vehicle. Senator Goodwin championed establishment of a Domestic Violence Prevention Fund. She was recognized for her efforts by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence with awards presented in 2007 and 2016.

Among the economic initiatives Senator Goodwin sponsored are laws to promote youth manufacturing apprenticeships and to help market goods that are manufactured in the state, known as the Made in Rhode Island Act. She sponsored the successful effort to remove financial barriers to obtaining a GED.

Senator Goodwin was named MADD’s 2014 Legislator of the Year. She received the César Estrada Chavez Award for her passion and commitment to the vision of Chavez. She received the President’s Award from the Rhode Island National Guard.

Among others who have recognized her leadership and community efforts are Special Olympics Rhode Island, the Senior Agenda Coalition, MADD, the American Heart Association, Volunteers in Providence Schools, the Rhode Island Catholic Schools Parents Federation, Mt. Pleasant Little League, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Crossroads Rhode Island, the National Guard Association, the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Center for Mediation & Collaboration Rhode Island, and the Manitoba Association of Math Teachers. 

Her first elected office was as a delegate to the 1986 Constitutional Convention. Prior to serving as whip, Senator Goodwin was the longtime Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Special Legislation. She also chaired the Joint Committee on State Lottery.

Maryellen attended St. Patrick High School and Rhode Island College, and was employed by the City of Providence.

She was a faithful communicant of St. Patrick’s Church."

April, 2023

Jim Gillis, Former Newport Daily News Reporter and Member of RI Journalism Hall of Fame, Dies at 64

Rhode Island journalist Jim Gillis has died at the age of 64. 

An accomplished reporter for the Newport Daily News for more than three decades, Gillis had publicly shared his battle of being on dialysis waiting for a kidney transplant, which he received in 2020. 

“On this date three years ago, Dr. Paul Morrissey and other members of the Rhode Island Hospital transplant team placed a donated kidney inside me,” Gillis posted to Facebook on March 9, 2023. “Looking forward to posting a similar message next year. Please consider becoming an organ donor.”

Gillis, who wrote the column “Spare Change,” was inducted into the Rhode Island Journalism Hall of Fame in 2021.

A Pawtucket native, Gillis graduated from Tolman High School and the University of Rhode Island. 

Gillis was married to Julie Bisbano, an English teacher at Portsmouth High School.

When Gillis was inducted into the Hall of Fame, the University of Rhode Island's stud

April, 2023

Harry Belafonte Dies at 96

Singer, actor, and activist Harry Belafonte has died at the age of 96. 

The cause was congestive heart failure, said Ken Sunshine, his longtime spokesman, according to the New York Times. 

The Times writes:

At a time when segregation was still widespread and Black faces were still a rarity on screens large and small, Mr. Belafonte’s ascent to the upper echelon of show business was historic. He was not the first Black entertainer to transcend racial boundaries; Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and others had achieved stardom before him. But none had made as much of a splash as he did, and for a few years no one in music, Black or white, was bigger.

Born in Harlem to West Indian immigrants, he almost single-handedly ignited a craze for Caribbean music with hit records like “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” and “Jamaica Farewell.” His album “Calypso,” which included both those songs, reached the top of the Billboard album chart shortly after its release in 1956 and stayed there for 31 weeks. Coming just before the breakthrough of Elvis Presley, it was said to be the first album by a single artist to sell more than a million copies.

Belafonte won three Grammy Awards (including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award), an Emmy Award, and a Tony Award. 

In 1989, he received the Kennedy Center Honors. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1994. 

PHOTO: NBC, 1969/Public Domain

May, 2023

Josephine Piro Raimondo Dies at 91 - Mother of U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo

Josephine Piro Raimondo of Cider Ln., Greenville died peacefully on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 with family at her bedside. She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph T. Raimondo for 58 years. She was born in Providence, the daughter of the late Peter P. Piro and Emilia (Calise) Piro. She was the exceptional, loving and devoted mother of Dr. Marianne Raimondo, Dr. Thomas Raimondo and US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. She was the proud and loving grandmother of Dr. Theresa Raimondo, Dr. Emilia Raimondo, Gianna Jasinski, Peter Jasinski, Thompson Moffit and Cecilia Moffit. She was the loving mother-in-law to David Jasinski, Dr. Sheila Raimondo and Andrew Moffit.

Josephine was a graduate of Bryant College and employed as executive secretary in the office of personnel at the US Rubber Company. She was also awarded an Honorary Master's Degree in Human Relations from Bryant College. She was very active as a CCD teacher at Saint Philip Parish. She served as a Cub Scout den mother for many years and later on as a volunteer for Boy Scouts of America with her husband. She volunteered in the Alumni Office at LaSalle Academy. She was a communicant of Saint Philip Parish in Greenville, as well as Saint Mary Star of the Sea in Narragansett for many years and in her later years Saint Robert Bellarmine Parish in Johnston. She took greatest pride however as a devoted daughter caring for her parents in their later years, as a wonderful wife for 58 years, nurturing and supportive mother for 67 years and loving grandmother for the past 32 years.

Josephine said the most important things in life were God and family and this guided every day of her life. She and her husband placed a very strong emphasis on education and even stronger emphasis on family bonds and faith in God. She took great pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She remained very close to all of her children and grandchildren and to her daughter and sons-in-law. She more than succeeded to keep God and family at the center of her life. 

May, 2023

Tina Turner Dies at 83: Sold 200 Million Albums, Won 8 Grammys - Wowed Newport Jazz Festival

Tina Turner has died. She was 83.

Turner died Wednesday “after a long illness” in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, her reps announced as reported by the Hollywood Reporter. “With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model,” they said.

She won eight Grammys and sold more than 200 million albums.

Her career bridged multiple styles of music, lasted 60 years, and was a global phenomenon. In Rhode Island, she put on epic performances at the Newport Jazz Festival in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The Hollywood Reporter writes:

"...she transformed notions about aging, opportunity and resilience, most notably with her landmark album Private Dancer, which launched her to solo superstardom (finally) at age 44.

At the movies, Turner had iconic roles as the Acid Queen in The Who’s rock opera Tommy (1975) and as the ruthless Aunty Entity in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985). On television, she was a fixture on variety shows, on MTV and in commercials, most notably as the face (and legs) of a $20 million campaign for Hanes hosiery, which hired her at 56 to energize the brand.

But it was her harrowing 1986 memoir, I, Tina, in which she revealed ex-husband Ike Turner’s 16-year reign of terror, her escape and rise from economic ruin that sealed her most enduring role — as inadvertent activist."

June, 2023

Noted Jazz Musician Vincent Lato, Jr. of Providence, Dies at 77

Vincent Lato, Jr., 77, of Providence, passed away June 1, 2023, at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Vincent Lato Sr. and Antoinette (Ferrante) Lato.

He leaves his son and daughter-in-law, Gregory V. and Kristin Lato, and his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer A. and Mark Cicerone; his four grandchildren, Mark Anthony Cicerone, Sophia Cicerone, Siena Lato and Brianza Lato; and his former wife, Cynthia A. Rosato. He was the brother of the late Dolores Cardullo.

He was a jazz musician who made a significant mark on the local and national scene, becoming well-known as one of the best saxophone and flute players to ever come from Rhode Island. He performed for two years in the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and studied briefly at Berklee College of Music. He has performed on tour with such major artists as Tony Bennett, Louie Bellson, The Righteous Brothers, Etta James, Roger Humphries Big Band, Jimmy Smith, The Roman Brothers and Natalie Cole among others. 

He has also performed with such local acts as Bob Mainelli and Holiday, Denise Mainelli with Mike Renzi, The Nomads, Duke Belaire Orchestra, Tony Giorgianni’s Jazz Odyssey and The Calamari Brothers. 

He was a one-of-a-kind personality who always made people laugh with a joke or catchphrase. He was loved by everyone who knew him. 

June, 2023

RI Sports Commission’s John Gibbons Dies at 63

It is with great sadness that the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB) announces the passing of John Gibbons, executive director of the Rhode Island Sports Commission (RISC).

“John Gibbons used his immense talent, strong work ethic, and boundless passion for sports and for life to build a program that brought millions of dollars into Rhode Island,” said Kristen Adamo, president and CEO of the PWCVB. “But more importantly, he was a devoted family man and a wonderful friend. Many of us at the PWCVB have worked with him for more than a decade. He meant a lot to us professionally and even more personally. We are heartbroken and extend our deepest sympathies to his family.”  

Gibbons, 63, joined the PWCVB in 2006. In 2010, he ascended to his role as Executive Director of the RISC, a division of the PWCVB, where he led the transformation of the sports landscape in Rhode Island. In his time with the RISC, Gibbons traveled throughout the country representing Rhode Island and bringing lucrative business to the state, including the NCAA Men’s Basketball, Ice Hockey, Division III Wrestling and Lacrosse Tournaments in 2024 and 2025. He was an extremely valued member of the PWCVB team, known for forming strong relationships with clients that helped solidify the state as a top destination for sporting events and sports-related meetings. 

“I am deeply saddened and shocked by the untimely passing of John. His departure leaves a void that can never be filled, and his memory will forever remain in our hearts,” said Farouk Rajab, general manager of the Providence Marriott Downtown and chairman of the PWCVB Board of Directors. “May we find solace in cherishing the moments we shared and draw strength from the impact he had on our lives. Rest in peace, dear friend.”

Gibbons was well-respected throughout the industry for his hard work and dedication, and in 2022 received the Community Hospitality Ambassador of the Year Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association. His true passion, though, was for his family, including his beloved wife Amy, their three children, and six grandchildren. Among his coworkers, he was loved for his genuine camaraderie and sense of humor. He was a friend and mentor to many and will be sorely missed.

Bill Reynolds Dies at 78 - His Impact Goes Far Beyond the Sports Page

EDITOR’S NOTE: On Monday, February 08, 2021, GoLocal published a tribute to Bill Reynolds upon his official retirement.

We tried to hire him many times. We appreciated his talent and loved the person.

Please enjoy.

For Bill Reynolds, it has always been about the touch.

As an athlete, reporter, columnist, and New York Times bestselling author, it has been more than about the obvious for Reynolds -- it has been about a generosity that changed people's lives.

GoLocal talked to a dozen teammates, friends and those that Reynolds helped, and oftentimes, profoundly changed, as he retires. 

Reynolds on the Court

While his run at the Providence Journal has come to an end, the impact of his words has reached nearly everyone in the sports world - from NBA stars to high school athletes.  For decades, it was Reynolds who communicated their most compelling stories — stories that were less about the 30 points in a game, and more often about overcoming tragedies and lives transformed.

Before the writing, it was the "touch" that made him one of Brown University’s greatest basketball shooters.

“Bill was one of the first people I met when I got to Brown," Houston Rockets Head Coach Stephen Silas, a former Brown player in the 1990s, told GoLocal. "We were instantly connected by our love of basketball, whether it was a conversation about my dad’s playing days with the Celtics or in the locker room before 'Lunch Bunch' pick up games. Bill is the best.”  

Reynolds, unlike many sports writers, was a top athlete. First at Barrington High School, then Worcester Academy and then at Brown, where he dueled against greats like PC’s Jimmy Walker — the number one pick in the NBA draft in 1967. Reynolds was selected to the all-decade team for Brown Basketball.

His backcourt teammate at Brown, Rick Landau, tells GoLocal, "I have known Billy since our freshman year at Brown in 1964, fifty-six years ago. He was and still is the kindest, most selfless, and most humble person ever.  I have never known Billy to think or say anything negative about someone."

"In my return to Providence in the late 1990s, Billy and I have been to many basketball games, restaurants, and Rhode Island events together, and without exception, people of all ages would come up to him to praise his ProJo columns. Billy would always take the time to engage the person while casually dismissing all the compliments," added Landau, who went on to significant success on Wall Street after Brown. "He never took himself that seriously, despite all his success as one of the best sportswriters in the country."

And Reynolds' reputation is unmatched -- he is a writer that linked generations of athletes together, but he also truly transcended sports. 

“I had the enormous good fortune of having Billy take me under his wing when I was a freshman at Brown and he was a senior co-captain of the basketball team,” Russ Tyler, a member of the Brown Hall of Fame and a successful attorney, told GoLocal. “On the court, he was an unstoppable scorer. I couldn’t wait to watch Billy play as he carved up the very best defensive guards in the Ivy League, game after game, by pumping in long range bombs and fall away jump shots. I hoped to be as good as Billy and I worked toward this goal by patterning my game after his.”

For Reynolds' former teammates and friends there, is one central theme — Reynolds' generosity.

Greg Donaldson, Reynolds' roommate at Brown for two years and teammate, who went on to become an author and professor, says that it was Reynolds who sparked his own career as a writer.

Donaldson said that Reynolds repeatedly helped him after graduation -- including, he says, a story idea that Reynolds was working on that he handed off to Donaldson that ended up with Donaldson getting his first paid published piece in the Village Voice. 

And Reynolds help him with a feature titled "Hoops and Misdemeanors" in Rolling Stone, about the chaos of the Fresno State team, coached by the infamous Jerry Tarkanian and featured stars like Chris Herren. "Bill is the most generous person I have known," said Donaldson.

Donaldson says that Reynolds' nickname "shooter" came during a two-on-two pick up game, when he and Reynolds were pitted against two Providence College -- and future NBA players -- Mike Riordan and Walker.

"After Billy lit up Riordan, Walker said, 'Let's switch. I'll take shooter,'" said Donaldson.

The name stuck.

Reynolds’ National Reputation

Fall River Dreams, Reynolds' in-depth look at the trials and tribulations of then-high school basketball phenom Herren, is one of those rare books that captures the collision of so many aspects of life — a hard-scrabble urban upbringing, the death of a New England mill town, the epic nature of high school hero-worship, class and poverty.

The book is littered with memorable scenes of high school adolescent boy chaos, all delivered under the backdrop of the gritty reality of a transforming Fall River. Herren was a local superstar and played at a level that led him to the NBA -- and a battle with drug addiction.

It is just one of Reynolds' epic books — publications that look on the surface like they are about sports, but tell far more important stories.

Most in the region know Reynolds for his 30-plus year run as a sports reporter and columnist for the Providence Journal.

Reynolds' writing stardom took off in the 1980s and was intertwined with the emergence of the Big East as the preeminent power conference in college basketball. When ESPN made the 30-for-30 documentary Requiem for the Big East, it was Reynolds who was the featured journalist wearing his signature purple dress shirt.

The rise of the Big East was a confluence of business and sports — the stage was set, in part, with Providence playing a key role as the league was founded by David Gavitt and it was headquartered in the city. It was a time when newspapers were still king.

Reynolds was the perfect writer to help create and ride the magic carpet ride of the mega-league.

Reynolds' relationship with then-Providence College Rick Pitino, the boy wonder coach, paid dividends for both of them and the two wrote a bestseller -- Success is a Choice --- a book about the tenets of business. The book was a huge success in 1998.

Reynolds went on a run. As an author, he wrote Big Hoops: Rise of a Dynasty: The '57 Celtics, the First Banner, and the Dawning of a New America: Glory Days: On Sports, Men, and Dreams That Don't Die: Born to Coach (another book with Pitino): COUSY: His Life, Career, and the Birth of Big-Time Basketball: and Hope: A School, a Team, a Dream.

Local Lifetime Impacts

Reynolds wrote about the kids who were fighting to overcome challenges. The life-weary city kids, poor kids or just plain down-on-their luck kids.

No story was more compelling than Reynolds' feature on Phil Winslow, the Mt. Saint Charles lacrosse player whose father was in jail and his mother, a drug addict, had dropped off Winslow at her sister’s house for a “sleepover” and never returned to pick him up. He was five-years-old at the time.

“It was over ten years ago that I sat with Mr. Reynolds in the grass on a hillside before lacrosse practice. With calmness and purpose he asked me pointed questions about my upbringing and family. Our entire encounter lasted approximately 30 minutes. It is remarkable to think how a human being can have such a profound impact on your life in such a brief interaction," said Winslow.

“Mr. Reynolds was interested in the story of my early childhood, I was quite thrilled. Perhaps selfishly, I was excited someone wanted to put a story of me in the newspaper. A few weeks after he and I spoke, the article was published in the newspaper and immediately I had friends, parents of friends, family, and even strangers tell me how much the article touched them. It was cathartic to share my story with Mr. Reynolds and I would be lying if I said I did not relish in the recognition,” said Winslow, who then went on to lead the state in scoring and won the state championship.

“As I grew older I began to understand the deeper message I believe he was trying to convey to his readers. We all have an innate ability to overcome adversity in our lives, and if we are lucky enough to have guidance along the way, we can become individuals who try to make order out of the chaos. I believe he has written countless stories about young men and women like myself in his illustrious career and his impact can not be summed up in a few words.  Whether he intended to or not, he instilled an understanding in me of one of the fundamental truths about human existence -- out of the darkness comes the light. Mr. Reynolds, thank you,” said Winslow, who went on to a storied lacrosse career at Clark University, and then on to earn a Doctor of Optometry degree.

Lunch Bunch

One of the secrets to Reynolds' touch and feel of sports over the years may have been his participation in the legendary “lunch bunch” basketball game at Brown University -- first at Marvel Gym, then at Pizzitola --  for more than 30 years. 

The game attracted a eclectic collection of athletes. Former NBA and college stars, pro athletes from other sports, and basketball junkies, all showed up to play. Reynolds used the game as a workout and a Petri dish, connecting with athletes and coaches.

There were NFL players, pro lacrosse players and bartenders, drug dealers, cops and train conductors also at Lunch Bunch. Silas, UNC Lacrosse Coach Joe Breschi, former Villanova star and Brown head coach Happy Dobbs —  all played too.

Top women athletes like former WNBA player Cindy Blodgett and Stanford’s Christina Batastini played. Reynolds played into his sixties and could still drill a 20 footer. He always had the touch.

Impact

While Reynolds delighted readers with his Saturday column “For What It’s Worth,” his overall influence on almost everyone he touched went far beyond the page.

“Billy and I have a special connection as he shares a unique perspective knowing my family and also playing hoops at Brown. He grew up in Barrington and was friends with my mother, Susan James and is best friends with my uncle, Mike Raffa. My mother passed away when I was 10 days old and my dad and I had to continue on life’s journey without her,” said Mark MacDonald, a former Brown Basketball center.

“It was a long journey for my father and I, often confusing and lonely. Billy’s words could not have been better put to paper, they are perfect. It felt like the first tangible thing my mother and I shared. My partner, Beth, recently framed the article and it hung it in our home. I read it often and it’s just as moving to me now as the first time I read it. It mended a bit of my broken heart and I’m eternally grateful to him for that. I know I’m far from the only person who he’s impacted in that way. He’s a treasure to Rhode Island, Basketball, Brown, and me,” said MacDonald.

“Billy Reynolds is a legendary sports writer in our country who has impacted the lives of so many with his books, columns, and reporting.  He's also a legendary person, as anyone who's ever spent time with him would know.   From my perspective as the head coach at Brown, where he once starred, I'm so grateful for how he's supported our program, mentored our student-athletes, and always found time to make sure Brown Basketball is in the conversation,” said Brown Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Martin.

For Paul Krasinski, Reynolds was that rare reporter that actually understood the game. "I first heard of Bill Reynolds through his close friendship with Chris Herren, a friend of mine and a fierce competitor. Fall River Dreams spotlighted the on-the-court and off-the-court lifestyle of Chris, which exhibited Bill's desire to know the person behind the story and not just 'bang out articles,'" said Krasinski, a former Brown basketball captain and one of the co-founders of GoLocal.

"This level of depth and desire to have a comprehensive understanding of the whole story set Bill apart from his colleagues. But my awareness of Bill Reynolds did not stop there, as Bill welcomed me to the most special family we call Brown Men's Basketball - the players, coaches, alumni, supporters, community, and families. Bill represented this family by ensuring he covered Brown Basketball with pride and yet, with honesty. It is hard to quantify the true value Bill Reynolds has had on the Brown and broader Providence community," said Krasinski.

Scott Cordischi, the voice of Brown Basketball said, "Bill is a Rhode Island institution. His Saturday "For What It's Worth" column was a staple for sports fans in southern New England for so many years. The compassion and fairness in which Bill covered sports news was unmatched."

"What many may not know about Bill was that he was a huge college basketball fan who would attend every local game humanly possible each winter," Cordischi added. 

Former St. Raphael's and University of Vermont basketball star T.J. Sorrentine said that Reynolds' impact helped define sports in Rhode Island.

“The stories he told not only in the Journal, but throughout my time getting to know him have impacted my life and many of my friends lives in a way that cannot be put into words," said Sorrentine. 

July, 2023

Editor In Chief of The Providence American Newspaper Peter C. Wells Dies at 76

Peter C Wells, 76, of Highland Creek Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina, died peacefully on July 9, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at Novant Health Medical Center, Huntsville, North Carolina.

 He was the beloved husband of Karen A. Amado-Wells. Born in New York City, New York, on February 16, 1947, he was the son of the late Reverend Dempsey Edward Wells Sr. and Beatrice Marie (Johnson) Wells. He lived in North Providence, Rhode Island, for 28 years before moving to North Carolina 14 months ago.

In 1957, the Wells family relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts. Peter graduated from Technical High School and Windham College as a brilliant and hardworking student. Peter graduated from Antioch College with a Master degree. Early in his career, he worked as a Financial analyst with the US Department of Housing And Urban Development. He traveled and lived in Puerto Rico for many years and moved around to many states for the US government. He settled in Providence, where he worked for the US government, retiring as Regional Director of Veterans Affairs for 21 years.

In 2006 he was a managing partner with BusCon Associates, LLC, CEO, Editor In Chief of The Providence American Newspaper, TV host of In Another Opinion PBS-RI, Peter was a proud member of many civic and social organizations, including Leadership Rhode Island. His affiliation with these organizations extended his network of friends and business associates.

He enjoyed the arts, socializing with family and friends, and, most of all, dining out with friends and family. His zest for life was boundless. He was an amazing man, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and caring friend.

Besides his wife of 18 years, he is survived by a son, Peter C. Wells Jr., and his wife, Carla of Charlotte, NC, a daughter, Sonya Y. Wells of Atlanta, GA, two granddaughters, Sala Blue Risby and Rue Wells-Risby, bonus daughters, Nickia and Kimberly Monteiro, Alexandra Edwards, two bonus granddaughters, Stone and Tikeya Monteiro, his former wife Edwinna Adel Wells and a host of relatives and friends. He was the brother of the late Dempsey E. Wells.

July, 2023

Tony Bennett Dies at 96

Legendary American singer Tony Bennett has died at the age of 96. 

Known for traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes, and jazz, Bennett was the recipient of 20 Grammy Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, an a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Bennett died on Friday morning, according to his publicist Sylvia Weiner, reports the New York times. 

“In February 2021, his wife, Susan Bennett, told AARP The Magazine that Mr. Bennett learned he had Alzheimer’s disease in 2016,” reports The Times. “He continued to perform and record despite his illness; his last public performance was in August of that year, when he appeared with Lady Gaga at Radio City Music Hall in a show titled ‘One Last Time.’”

In 2018, Bennett played to crowd of 3,000 at PPAC at the age of 91 — he performed many of his classic hits, including his signature tune “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” Bennett’s opening act was his beautiful daughter Antonia, who sang a captivating set to warm up her father’s many fans.

And as GoLocal reported in its extensive series 2016 on the FBI files on Raymond Patriarca, “FBI files [showed] on Raymond Patriarca’s close and politically perverse relationship with RI Governor Notte. The documents unveil efforts to have Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett to host a fundraiser for Governor Notte.”

August, 2023

Former RI GOP Chair John Holmes Jr. Dies

Former Rhode Island Republican Party Chair John Holmes Jr. has died.  He was 74 years old.

“We are saddened to hear about the passing of former Chairman John Holmes, and the entire Republican Party of Rhode Island sends heartfelt condolences to his family. When John served as chairman, he sent waves across Rhode Island by recruiting and electing a record number of Republicans to the legislature,” said RI GOP Chair Joe Powers on Wednesday. 

“He was also instrumental in getting former Governor Lincoln Almond elected in 1994. We thank him for his commitment and service to the Republican Party of Rhode Island,” he added. 

Holmes, who served as the chairman of the state GOP in the 1980s, had run for Congress in 1986; he lost to Ferland “Freddie” St Germain. 

 In 1988, Holmes was the Republican front-runner, but his campaign failed to file his declaration papers on time and a little-known Republican, Ron Machtley, won the GOP nomination. 

Machtley then upset St Germain, by then the powerhouse Democrat Chairman of the House Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs.

“I mourn the passing of my personal friend, John Holmes, who served the Rhode Island Republican Party with honor, dignity and integrity.  John was always a gentleman, had a great sense of humor, and was a worthy adversary who treated everyone with great respect.  He will be sorely missed by so many on the political scene, regardless of party affiliation,”  said Joe Shekarchi, Speaker of the House.

August, 2023

Bob Barker, Longtime Host of The Price is Right, Dies at 99

Bob Barker has died at the age of 99.

The longtime host of the CBS game show “The Price is Right,” Barker also hosted the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants for 20 years.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce that the World’s Greatest MC who ever lived, Bob Barker has left us,” publicist Roger Neal said in a statement Saturday.

A staunch animal rights activist, Barker used his platform on The Price is Right to urge viewers to get their pets spayed or neutered. 

Barker, the recipient of an Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement, was predeceased by his wife Dorothy Jo, who died of lung cancer at the age of 57 in 1981.  

They had wed in 1945. 

Bob Barker, seen here in 1975, died Saturday at the age of 99. PHOTO: Public Domaim

August, 2023

Top Athlete, Coach and Educator Jayar M. Santos Dies at 45

Santos, Jayar M., 45, of North Providence, passed away peacefully on September 9th, 2023, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband to his high school sweetheart and best friend, Nicole “the little one” (Ramos) Santos.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island on November 7th, 1977. He was the beloved son of Frank Jr. “Chico” and Wilmette (Star) Santos

Jayar was a high school graduate of La Salle Academy. While attending La Salle, he was a member of the track, basketball, and football teams. Jayar went on to play NCAA Division 1 Football at Hofstra University, NY, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. Hofstra granted him a brotherhood with many cherished teammates that would last his lifetime.

He proudly worked at PVD Preparatory Charter School in Providence, where he held the position of Associate Dean of Students. Jayar’s commitment to youth and public service went far beyond the classroom. He also was the Assistant Director at the Vincent Brown Recreation Center in Providence. Previously, he coached for the Moses Brown varsity football team, and was the head coach of Central Falls girls basketball team. He also was a former proud member of Providence Cobra’s Track and Field Club and Mt. Hope Cowboys.

Jayar had a deep sense of social responsibility. He embraced the role of a community leader and selflessly dedicated his time to the youth. The welfare of children was of utmost importance to Jayar.

He was a devoted husband and father who was extremely family-oriented. He genuinely loved bringing people together. His infectious smile paired with his fun spirit and laughter would fill a room.

Jayar undeniably leaves a legacy to be admired.

In addition to his wife and parents, he leaves behind his loving daughter, Najah Santos, and his son Jamier Freitas. He also leaves behind siblings: Marjorie Santos, Melissa Santos Llewellyn and husband Cordell, Tejae Santos, and Herman “Butch” Brown. He also leaves behind Godparents, Kelly Brown Reis, Robert Blue, and Greg Penelton and nieces, Katja Neves, Fallon Santos, Mila Santos and a nephew, Jaelin Llewellyn. In addition to, he also leaves behind beloved father and mother-in-law, Anthony and Hilda Correia, brother-in-law, Stefan Correia (Bre’Anna Metts- Nixon) and sister-in-law, Alexandria Correia (DaeShawn Beasley). He also leaves behind aunts, Dorreen Fortes and husband Joseph, Lysa Davis and husband Ronald, Joyce Pina Brown, and Michelle Mundy Cunningham.

He was the grandson of the late Frank Sr. and Virginia (Tavares) Santos, Maria (Barros) Hargraves, and the nephew of the late Diane Santos and Debra Santos-Barnes. He also leaves behind a host of many cousins and friends as well as his beloved dogs Mogie, late Madden and Debo.

September, 2023

Famed Capriccio Restaurant Captain Gennaro “Gino” Castellano Dies at 75

Gennaro “Gino” Castellano, 75, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, September 17, 2023. A 30-year resident of Barrington, he is survived by his beloved and devoted spouse of 47 years, Deborah (Ryding), dear sister Carmela Castellano of Torca, Italy, four cherished and adoring children—Giovanna Robbins and her husband Ian of Baltimore, Maryland; Stephanie Younes and her husband Paul of Harrison, New York; Steven Castellano and his wife Ericka of New Bedford, Massachusetts; Paul Castellano of Barrington; and six grandchildren, Stella Younes, Christopher Castellano, Sophie Younes, Ramona Robbins, Amelia Castellano, and Spencer Robbins.

Born in Massa Lubrense, Italy, on April 24, 1948, he was the son of the late Cristoforo Castellano and Giovanna de Gennaro. He was also brother to the late Antonino “Nino” Castellano of San Francisco, California and the late Grazia Castellano of Torca, Italy. After serving in the Italian Air Force, he worked in the hospitality industry in Sorrento (Italy), London, and Bermuda, where he met his wife.

Following his marriage in 1976, he began his illustrious 40-year career as Captain of the luxurious Capriccio restaurant in Providence. His passion for and love of serving people was recognized by generations of patrons and the industry at large. He touched many lives with his warm smile and authentic nature.

Gino was a member of the East Providence Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, and gardening. He will be deeply missed and live on forever in our hearts.

September, 2023

Brother Michael Reis Dies at 81

Brother Michael Reis, born William Reis, passed away on September 24, 2023, in Lincroft, New Jersey.

Born on July 31, 1942, he was the son of the late John A. and Alvina (Rabuse) Reis. He is survived by his brothers, John and Ronald Reis, and several nieces and nephews. His sister, Mary O’Donnell, AFSC, and her husband, John O’Donnell, AFSC, predecease him.

Brother Michael grew up in the Rockaways in Queens and spent his youth fishing and playing on the beach. Brother Michael dedicated his life to service, joining the De La Salle Christian Brothers in 1960, where he started his career as a math teacher. His passion for the Lasallian Mission and service to the poor drew him away from work in the classroom to social work.

After working at Lincoln Hall, a residential facility for adjudicated boys in New York, Br. Michael’s journey brought him to Rhode Island, where he worked as a chaplain for the Adult Correctional Institute. He then co-founded Ocean Tides and, ultimately, Tides Family Services, where he spent the last 35 years of his career. Brother Michael started Tides with $15,000 and a vision to never give up on youth in the community. He went to great lengths to strategically position Tides to follow in the footsteps of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, serving youth whom other institutions left behind.

Brother Michael’s unwavering dedication to improving the lives of at-risk youth has left an indelible mark on the countless lives he touched. A true champion for children, Brother Michael led with determination and zeal. He was steadfast in the face of adversity. He stayed rooted in his mission of never giving up on a kid, never! Brother Michael was dynamic, engaging, and effortlessly drew people in to advance his passion for keeping children in community-based settings.

Brother Michael was a visionary and laid the foundation for children’s behavioral health, child welfare, and juvenile justice programming that is still considered innovative forty years later. He recognized the importance of work across systems, was a fierce advocate for youth, and spent countless hours advocating for children’s rights as a registered lobbyist for the RI NASW. Aside from his professional career, Brother Michael served youth and the community through his work on various boards and committees, including the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen, the Rhode Island Chapter of the NASW, the State of Rhode Island: Sexual Offender Management Task Force, the Rhode Island Children’s Policy Coalition, the Parent Support Network, and The San Miguel School, Providence, RI.

Always young at heart, Brother Michael elected to live outside of traditional Brothers’ communities and hosted several Lasallian Volunteers. To Brother Michael, his Community was a family and home, and all Lasallian Volunteers were welcome. Brother Michael credits his work with the Lasallian Volunteers and the Young Lasallians with keeping him young. Brother Michael’s boundless energy was apparent in his personal and professional life.

Brother Michael could be found in the gym or traveling with his family when not at work.

September, 2023

Dianne Feinstein, Longest-Serving Female U.S. Senator in History, Dies at 90

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) passed away on Thursday, according to reports.

Born on June 22, 1933, in San Francisco, California, Feinstein had a long career in public service.

She began her political career on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1969, later serving as the Mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988. In 1992, she was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming California's first female Senator.

During her tenure in the Senate, Feinstein worked on various legislative issues including gun control, healthcare reform, and environmental protection. She was known for her efforts in enacting the Assault Weapons Ban in 1994.

She also worked on legislation aimed at conserving natural lands in California.

Feinstein’s service to the state of California and the country was marked by a "pragmatic approach to addressing complex legislative issues."

She was the longest-serving female Senator.

This report was written by GoLocal with contributions from Chat GPT.

September, 2023

Former RI Sports Star and IBM Executive Philip C. Hazard Jr. Dies at 67

A husband, father and legendary athlete at East Providence High School, Philip C. Hazard Jr., 67, of Marietta, GA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.  He was married to Julie (DaGraca) Hazard, his childhood sweetheart, for 45 years.  Born in Providence, RI he grew up in East Providence before moving to Marietta, GA in 1997.

Philip was the devoted son of the late Matthew A. Lopes, Sr., and Laura (Barros) Lopes who lovingly referred to him as John.

Besides his wife, he leaves six children, Philip Hazard III (Elena), Leticia Hazard, Joel Hazard (Lindsey), Aaron Hazard (Alexis), Jordan Hazard (Lindsay), and Daniel Hazard (Hillary).  He is survived by one brother, Matthew A. Lopes Jr., of Lincoln, RI and three sisters, Phyllis Conway (Michael) of Powder Springs, GA, Carol Gibson (Peyton) and Laurie Lopes of East Providence, RI.  He was a devoted Papa to 19 grandchildren, with his 20th grandchild due in February 2024.  Philip is also survived by his mother-in-law Mariana DaGraca and Julie’s siblings, Mindy, Antoinette, Alicia, Anthony, and Delores.  He was well loved by a large extended family, including his brethren and sisters in Christ, and many dear friends.

Phil was a proud East Providence (EP) Townie, graduating from EP High School in 1974 where he was a standout football and track star. He was a First Team All-New England selection in the 100-yard dash during his Junior and Senior years and captain of the school’s State Championship Track Team.  He was inducted into the East Providence High School Hall of Fame in 1992.

A highly recruited student-athlete, Phil attended Boston College (BC) where he played football and ran indoor and outdoor track. He was a three-time New England 100-yard sprint champion and set the Boston College 55-yard indoor sprint record, which still stands.  He graduated from BC in 1978 and was inducted into the BC Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1988 as one of the premier sprinters to ever compete for the college. After graduation Phil held a seat on the Alumni Board of Directors and served as secretary of the Alumni Association. Phil cherished his time at Boston College and the college was always near and dear to his heart.

After college Phil enjoyed a successful 30-year career at IBM, rising from systems engineer to Global Customer Satisfaction Manager. In this leadership role he was able to travel the world. After retiring from IBM, Phil pursued his passion of working with youth in Georgia. He coached track at Sprayberry High School and taught and coached at Mount Paran Christian School. His students and athletes meant everything to him.

Phil’s accomplishments were many, but his greatest achievement was his marriage to his Julie, his relationships with his children and grandchildren, and his strong faith in God.  Phil was a member of the Atlanta North Christadelphian Ecclesia. His faith was the cornerstone of his life, sustaining him and Julie during his illness.

Phil’s services were held in Marietta, Georgia.  He asked that any donations be made to the Truth Cornerstone Project (TCP), where he was a founding member.  TCP is a Christ-centered outreach program that embodied Phil’s virtues of caring for people and helping anyone he could.

October, 2023

Former Red Sox Pitcher Tim Wakefield Dies at 57

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield has died at the age of 57.

The Major League Baseball club announced his passing on Sunday with the following message on social media. 

“Our hearts are broken with the loss of Tim Wakefield.

Wake embodied true goodness; a devoted husband, father, and teammate, beloved broadcaster, and the ultimate community leader. He gave so much to the game and all of Red Sox Nation.

Our deepest love and thoughts are with Stacy, Trevor, Brianna, and the Wakefield family.”

Wakefield, who won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2010, played for 17 years with the Red Sox and was a two-time World Series champion. 

He is third in the club’s history for career wins behind Cy Young and Roger Clemens and is a member of the Red Sox Hall of Fame. 

The Red Sox had named Wakefield as the honorary chairman of the Red Sox Foundation in 2013; he provided commentary on NESN as a studio analyst following his retirement. 

PHOTO: Waldo Jaquith Flickr/Creative Commons 2.0

October, 2023

Special Olympian Swimmer, Timothy John Healey of East Providence, Dies at 64

Timothy John Healey, a longtime resident of East Providence and the oldest child of Paul and Nancy Healey’s 10 children, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease October 7, 2023, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence. He was 64.

Born on May 25, 1959, in Boston, Tim grew up in the Rumford section of East Providence. He had Down syndrome. He was a lifelong parishioner at St. Margaret’s Church where he received all the sacraments and participated in Mass enthusiastically. He gave bear hugs at the sign of peace and had a knack for singing the hymns louder and longer than any other congregant. He always looked forward to the post-Mass run to Dunkin for chocolate-frosted donuts and coffee.

Taught in the special education program of the East Providence School District until he was 18, Tim joined the adult ed program of The Arc of Blackstone Valley in 1977. He did industrial piece work for many years in an Arc workshop called Blackstone Valley Industries. As his siblings left for college, Tim remained at home, proud of his status as a breadwinner. When asked how work was going, he’d say, “Making the money.” For many years after that, he worked at the Garden at Daggett Farm in Pawtucket. It was an organization begun by a horticultural therapist who at the time worked for The Arc. At Daggett Farm, Tim was a familiar face to all who visited and he loved white spider mums, which resembled his favorite fidget toy, the Koosh ball.

The Arc of Blackstone Valley enriched Tim’s life beyond words. For 31 years, he lived in group homes in Riverside and Pawtucket with roommates who became his second family: David, Eddy, and Charlie. Together they completed chores, prepared dinner, and spent countless hours listening to music, watching TV, riding in the van on day trips, and enjoying dinner out (the “meatmoaf” at Gregg’s was a favorite) and coffee and ice cream runs. They pressed each other’s buttons and loved and protected each other fiercely. When Tim would go out with family on weekends, Eddy would always ask, “Are you taking Timmy home?” Tim’s longtime roommate and foxhole friend, Charlie, in his wheelchair, visited Tim at hospice. Charlie held Tim’s hand saying, “OK, Buddy.”

Tim’s family will always appreciate the caregivers, group home managers, medical staff, case managers, and agency leaders of The Arc who helped him live a full life over the past 45 years, treating him as if he were their own son or brother. Doctors’ appointments, clothes shopping, haircuts, transportation, assistance with the activities of daily life; they did it all. The words “thank you” – for the Arc staff’s decades of superior care and advocacy – simply don’t suffice.

Tim was predeceased by parents he adored and who adored him: Paul J. M. Healey MD, who he called “Big Guy” and who died in 2011, and Nancy J. Ogg Healey, termed “Cutie Pie,” who died in 2009. Both parents actively championed for equal rights for individuals with developmental disabilities. They started a golf tournament, the Blackstone Valley Open, to raise funds for The Arc of Blackstone Valley. Typically, Tim was a greeter at this event. His sister, Jennifer, served on The Arc’s board of directors from 2009 to 2012 and has served as chairperson of the agency’s Human Rights Committee since 2012.

Tim is survived by younger siblings Patrick J. Healey MD of Seattle, WA; Mary-Kathryn and her husband John C. Lynch of Seekonk; Michael J. Healey and his wife Amy of Providence; Maura J. Healey of Rumford; Marthe-Anne and her husband Kevin P. Monagle of Rumford; Jennifer C. Healey-Kirby and her husband William F. Kirby of Rumford; Ellen H. and her husband Timothy B. Sullivan of Attleboro; P. Daniel Healey and his wife Jennifer of Havertown, PA; and Meghan H. and her husband Toby Collie of Scottsdale, AZ.

A legion of 28 loving and attentive nieces and nephews includes Aidan and Ciaran Healey; Keenan (Shannon), Owen (Spencer), Teresa, Daniel, and Grace Lynch; Sydney, Spencer, Samuel, and Mick Healey; Timothy, Claire, Ellen, and Brendan Rogers; Anne (Andrew), Jack (Bethany), and Michael Monagle and Mary Cassini (Joseph); Paul and Patrick Brennan; Jeremiah, Luke, Ryan, and Molly Sullivan; and Onora, Maeve, and Sean Healey. Great nieces and nephews include Caroline, Catherine, Peter, and Anna Lynch and Bryn and Graeme Lynch.

Also, Tim is survived by his godmother and aunt, Patricia Read, his Uncle Eugene Healey MD and Aunt Pauline Healey, and his Aunt Tonia Teresa Healey, along with many beloved first cousins.

The family thanks Tim’s countless friends for their extraordinary love, concern, and generosity of spirit throughout his life.

Tim was a Special Olympian who competed in swimming, but didn’t like to leave the pool after his race. He loved to swim and could hold his breath underwater the entire length of a pool. His back-flops off the diving board after a three-count were legendary.

Before he loved Pepsi, which he called “Blue Bottle,” Tim loved “Red Can” – Coke. His switch in brand loyalty around 20 years ago still mystifies. Growing up, he loved to hurl Hippity-Hops down the hill to the beach in Touisset. He loved playing the keep-the-balloon-in-the-air game. He loved “Mary Poppins,” “The Sound of Music,” and The Beach Boys’ greatest hits. He loved bowling; no one ever rolled a bowling ball down a lane slower. He loved franks and beans, which he called “hotdogs, beans, and franks.” He loved sitting on the picnic table in the summertime listening to his AM radio. He really loved plain M&M’s. More than anything else, he loved mischief.

October, 2023

Suzanne Somers Dies at 76

American actress and fitness enthusiast Suzanne Somers has died at 76.

Best known for her role as Chrissy Snow on the sitcom Three’s Company, Somers later became a spokesperson for the exercise equipment “Thighmaster.”

Somers later appeared on such shows as Step by Step and Dancing With the Stars. 

“Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th. She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years,” publicist R. Court Hay wrote in a statement shared on behalf of the actress’ family, according to CNN.

The statement said Somers “was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family.”

“Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly,” the statement added.

Somers revealed this summer on social media that she was dealing with a recurrence of breast cancer.

Suzanne Somers (top right) has died at 76. PHOTO: Three's Company promotional image, public domain.

October, 2023

Community Leader Letitia Morrison Carter Dies at 89

Letitia Morrison Carter, age 89, passed away peacefully at her home in Little Compton, RI, on September 29, 2023. Letitia gave tirelessly to her family, community, and philanthropic endeavors. She was a leader, teacher, creator who touched and impacted many people. In her own words:

"My advice to you is not hard advice, but rather soft advice: Learn everything you can about what is going on around you. Volunteer, you'll meet some interesting new people. Attend some events and programs in Rhode Island. Be generous, not necessarily with money, but with your time and spirit. Read as much as you can. Catch up with your friends and family. Listen carefully. Say yes and thank you at appropriate times. Be kind. Know that a positive outlook often precedes a positive conclusion. Have passion for what you do."

Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have a groundwork for each of their lives built from Letitia's wisdom, kindness and guidance. Letitia was a visionary. She could see what had to be done, how to do it and then did it, enlisting and assisting others to completion. She was relentless when she took on or assisted in a project that enhanced her community and the state of RI. Letitia was one of the volunteers who opened Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol and served as its president. She is a founder of the Fiber Co-op at Slater Mill Historic Site, Pawtucket. As president of the board of Veterans Memorial Auditorium, she secured financing for major remodeling in 1990 and for the return of the Rhode Island Philharmonic's performances. She was a commissioner of the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority with special responsibility as chair of the Vets Foundation. She has been a board member of the Community Preparatory School for 10 years, three years as chair, and also has served as a director for WRNI Public Radio, Planned Parenthood, the Philharmonic, Rhode Island Mayoral Academies, the RI Philharmonic Music School and more. The philanthropic endeavors of Letitia and her husband John Carter have touched many lives, organizations and institutions in Rhode Island. Letitia's family extends heartfelt gratitude, thanks and love to each and every companion who lovingly dedicated themselves to caring for Letty. Letitia was preceded in death by her husband John S. Carter, Jr. She is survived by her four children: Kathy Martinez and her husband Alex of Colorado; John S. Carter and Nicole Peckham of Little Compton; Pamela Carter of Ringoes, NJ; Elisabeth Carter of Waltham, MA. Four grandchildren: Julia Martinez and her husband David Moskowitz; Maggie Foote and her husband Eric; Johnny Carter; Liam Rowe; as well as four great-grandchildren: Cash and Falcon Foote; Jonah and Zoe Moskowitz. There will be a celebration of Letitia's life at a later date. Arrangements by Fern Acres Funeral Home.

October, 2023

Friends Star Matthew Perry Dies at 54

Matthew Perry, known for playing Chandler Bing on the hit NBC sitcom “Friends,” has died, LA Times reports.

He was 54.

According to reports, Perry was found dead Saturday in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home, law enforcement sources told the LA Times.

Perry and the cast of the show Friends were a TV voice of their generation.

In recent years it was widely reports Perry battled addiction issues and related health issues.

He received an Emmy nomination for his role in Friends.

Variety reports, “Along with “Friends,” Perry appeared in such television series as “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “Go On” and “The Odd Couple.” He scored two Emmy nominations in 2003 and 2004 for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Joe Quincy in “The West Wing.”

November, 2023

Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Bobby Knight Dies at 83

Former college and United States men's basketball coach Robert “Bobby” Knight has died at the age of 83. 

Knight, who started his coaching career at Army, was the head coach at Indiana from 1971 to 2000, then Texas Tech until 2008. 

"It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family. We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy as Coach requested a private family gathering, which is being honored. We will continue to celebrate his life and remember him, today and forever as a beloved Husband, Father, Coach, and Friend,” said the Knight family in a statement. 

While at Indiana, Knight led his teams to eleven Big Ten Conference championships, one National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship, and three NCAA championships. During his tenure, Knight was also accused of choking a player during practice in an incident that was recorded on video

He was fired from Indiana in September of 2000, "a move that splintered the Indiana basketball community for 20 years, until Knight returned to Assembly Hall for the first time on Feb. 8, 2020, surrounded during a tear-filled halftime introduction by several dozen former players,” wrote Sports Illustrated at his passing. 

He was the head coach of the United States Pan-Am Men’s Basketball team in 1979 and then the Olympics in 1984.

Knight was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991; he was then inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. 

November, 2023

Leader of the League of Cities & Towns, Vietnam Veteran Daniel L. Beardsley of Cranston Dies at 76

Daniel L. Beardsley of Cranston died on November 2, 2023. He was the husband of Suzan (Rogers) Beardsley, to whom he had been married for fifty-three years.

Dan represented the interest of Rhode Island’s cities and towns for over forty-two years as the Director of Rhode Island League Cities and Towns. He was a tireless and staunch advocate of the interest of local government and he delighted many of his fellow lobbyists for his ability to secure his many legislative successes over the course of his career. In addition to his advocacy, he created numerous member service programs to benefit Rhode Island’s cities and towns. One of which he was particularly most proud of was the Rhode Island Energy Aggregation Program or “REAP” an electricity purchasing collaborative which has saved cities and towns over $72 million dollars since it was created in 1999.

He was a highly decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam War where he served as point man and infantry platoon in 1968 in the First Air Cavalry Division. For his actions and dozens of search and destroy missions, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Man Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Air Medal for participating in over twenty-five air combat assaults. The Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, the Vietnam  Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Purple Heart with Star for Wounds received in battle.

He was appointed in 1985 to be the first local government representative to serve on the Rhode Island State Labor Relations Board and he also served on the Rhode Island State Retirement Board for the past twenty-seven years. He was an instructor at Bryant University where he taught public sector labor law and he was a past president and former coach of the Edgewood Girls Softball League. Dan was the co-founder and honorary president of the Foxhole Society, a former social gathering place in Providence where he and the other members would engage in late night discussions of political, social, and personal issues.

Besides his wife, he leaves his daughter Joyce Stenovitch and her husband Edward III, Robyn Sukkar and her husband Loubnen, and his grandchildren, Brittany and Edward Stenovitch IV, and Loubnen and Marcus Sukkar – all of whom he was deeply devoted to.

November, 2023

Former Major League All-Star David Stenhouse Dies at 90

The family of Rhode Island native and former baseball great David Stenhouse announced his death this weekend.

Mike Stenhouse, wrote on social media:

RIP Dad. We will always love you. What an amazing 90 years you gave to our family, to Cranston, and to RI. We have been so blessed.

For those who didn't know him ... we lost a true star this morning.

An inductee into the RI Heritage Hall of Fame, his life and his long record of accomplishment exemplified the American Dream. Born into a working-class family, he was a standout Westerly High School baseball and basketball athlete, and would later earn All-American honors at URI. He went on to have a 13-year professional baseball career, including three years in the major leagues with the Washington Senators. In 1962, he made history as the very first rookie pitcher to start a Major League All-Star Game.

A Veteran and former Army Reservist, and even while he was building a successful business career and company in the insurance industry, he served as head baseball coach during the 80’s at Brown University and at RI College for 12 years prior, where led one of his clubs to the Division III Final Four. He is also an inductee into the URI, RIC, and Westerly athletic halls of fame. Most notably, as a member of its hall of fame, “Sten” was the first ever RI athlete to win awards in all major categories from Words Unlimited; 1951 RI Schoolboy Athlete of the Year, 1961 RI Athlete of the Year, and 1983 RI Coach of the Year.

He additionally coached an American Legion baseball team and co-founded the CLCF basketball program in Cranston as well as the RI Baseball Institute in Warwick.

The once Cub-master enjoyed playing the piano, red wine, traveling to Europe, and golfing as a member of the Warwick Country Club, where he chaired annual fundraising golf tournaments that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for The Jimmy Fund, and earning its “Jimmy Award” in 2002.

I will miss you dearly ... xox

November, 2023

Former First Lady Rosalynn (Smith) Carter Dies at 96

Former First Lady Rosalynn (Smith) Carter has died. 

Born in Georgia in 1927, Carter wed former United States President in 1946. 

The Carters, who served in the White House from 1977 to 1981, had three sons and a daughter, nine grandsons, three granddaughters, five great-grandsons, and eight great-granddaughters.

The Carter Library writes: 

"Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has worked for more than three decades to improve the quality of life for people around the world. Today, she is an advocate for mental health, caregiving, early childhood immunization, human rights, and conflict resolution through her work at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The center is a private, nonprofit institution founded by former President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter in 1982.

A full partner with the president in all the center’s activities, the former first lady is a member of The Carter Center Board of Trustees. She created and chairs The Carter Center’s Mental Health Task Force, an advisory body of experts, consumers, and advocates promoting positive change in the mental health field. Each year, she hosts the Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy, bringing together leaders of the nation’s mental health organizations to address critical issues. Mrs. Carter emerged as a driving force for mental health when, during the Carter administration, she became active honorary chair of the President’s Commission on Mental Health, which resulted in passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980.

She served on the Policy Advisory Board of The Atlanta Project (TAP), a program of The Carter Center addressing the social ills associated with poverty and quality of life citywide, from the program’s inception in 1991 until its transfer to Georgia State University in 1999. In 1988, she convened with three other former first ladies the “Women and the Constitution” conference at The Carter Center to assess that document’s impact on women.

Outside the center, Mrs. Carter is president of the board of directors for the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) at Georgia Southwestern State University, which was established in her honor on the campus of her alma mater in Americus, Georgia. Through research, education, and training, the RCI promotes the mental health and well-being of individuals, families, and professional caregivers; delineates effective caregiving practices; builds public awareness of caregiving needs; and advances public and social policies that enhance caring communities. A mother of four, she has maintained a lifelong dedication to issues affecting women and children. In 1991, she launched with Mrs. Betty Bumpers, wife of former U.S. Senator Dale Bumpers of Arkansas, “Every Child By Two,” a nationwide campaign to publicize the need for early childhood immunizations. She also works with Habitat for Humanity, participating in the annual one-week Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project that began in 1984 building homes for the needy, and Project Interconnections, a public/private nonprofit partnership to provide housing for homeless people who are mentally ill. She served as distinguished centennial lecturer at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, from 1988 1992 and is currently a distinguished fellow at the Emory University Department of Women’s Studies in Atlanta.

Since graduating from Georgia Southwestern College in 1946, Mrs. Carter has received many honors, among them the Volunteer of the Decade Award from the National Mental Health Association; the Award of Merit for Support of the Equal Rights Amendment from the National Organization for Women; the Notre Dame Award for International Service; the Eleanor Roosevelt Living World Award from Peace Links; the Kiwanis World Service Medal from Kiwanis International Foundation; the Jefferson Award from the American Institute for Public Service; the Georgia Woman of the Year Award from the Georgia Commission on Women; the Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health from the Institute of Medicine; the United States Surgeon General’s Medallion; and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor. In 2001 she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

She has written five books: her autobiography First Lady from Plains; Everything To Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life, a book about life after the White House co-authored with President Carter; Helping Yourself Help Others: A Book For Caregivers (with Susan K. Golant); Helping Someone with Mental Illness: A Compassionate Guide for Family, Friends, and Caregivers (with Susan K. Golant), which was selected as the winner of the 1999 American Society of Journalists and Authors Outstanding Book Award in the service category; and Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis (with Susan K. Golant and Kathryn E. Cade). She continues to travel and speak throughout the world, is a deacon at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, and enjoys fly-fishing, bird-watching, swimming, and biking in her free time."

November, 2023

Henry Kissinger Dies at 100

Henry Kissinger was the former US secretary of state and national security adviser who dominated American foreign policy for 30 years.

As a child, he escaped Nazi Germany and become one of the most influential foreign policy figures in American history, has died, according to a statement from his consulting firm, Kissinger Associates.

He was 100.

Kissinger was synonymous with US foreign policy in the 1970s. He received a Nobel Peace Prize for helping arrange the end of US military involvement in the Vietnam War and is credited with secret diplomacy that helped President Richard Nixon open communist China to the United States and the West, highlighted by Nixon’s visit to the country in 1972.

But he was also reviled by many over the bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War that led to the rise of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime and for his support of a coup against a democratic government in Chile.

Born Heinz Alfred Kissinger on May 27, 1923, in Fürth, Germany, to a Jewish family, he fled Nazi persecution with his family in 1938, arriving in the United States.

]Education and Early Career:

Kissinger excelled academically in the United States. He attended City College of New York briefly before being drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. Post-war, he enrolled at Harvard University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1950, a master's in 1952, and a Ph.D. in 1954. His doctoral dissertation, "A World Restored: Metternich, Castlereagh and the Problems of Peace, 1812–22," was a reflection of his interest in diplomacy and international relations.

Kissinger stayed at Harvard as a faculty member in the Department of Government and later served as the director of the Harvard International Seminar.

Political Career:

Kissinger's involvement in government began in the 1960s. He served as a consultant on foreign policy to various administrations. His major breakthrough came in 1969 when President Richard Nixon appointed him as National Security Advisor. In 1973, he also became Secretary of State, a position he retained under President Gerald Ford until 1977.

Diplomatic Achievements and Controversies:

Kissinger played a key role in several foreign policy achievements:

Vietnam War: He was instrumental in the negotiations that led to the Paris Peace Accords in 1973, intended to bring an end to the Vietnam War. For this, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, a decision that was and remains controversial due to the ongoing conflict in Vietnam and the broader Indochina region.
U.S.-China Relations: Kissinger was pivotal in opening diplomatic relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China, marking a significant shift in the Cold War dynamics.

Detente with the Soviet Union: He was a significant figure in the policy of détente, which sought to ease tensions with the Soviet Union. This period saw several strategic arms limitation talks and treaties.
Middle East: Kissinger also played a role in negotiations following the Yom Kippur War, leading to disengagement agreements between Israel and its neighbors.

However, his career was not without controversy. Kissinger's involvement in various global events, such as the U.S. bombing campaigns in Cambodia and Laos, support for Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War despite reports of human rights abuses, and involvement in Latin America, particularly regarding U.S. policy towards Chile, have been subjects of considerable debate and criticism.

Post-Political Career:

After leaving office, Kissinger remained an influential figure in international relations, both as a geopolitical consultant and a prolific writer. His books, including "Diplomacy" and "On China," offer deep insights into his perspectives on foreign policy and international affairs.

Legacy:

Kissinger's legacy is complex. He is often praised for his strategic acumen and contribution to reshaping U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy.

This about was written by the GoLocal News Team, and information from ChatGPT

November, 2023

Sandra Day O’Connor, First Woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, Dies at 93

Sandra Day O'Connor, born on March 26, 1930, in El Paso, Texas, and the retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States died at 93. She holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve on the Court, appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, and serving until her retirement in 2006.

Early Life and Education: O'Connor was raised on a cattle ranch in Arizona, which instilled in her a strong work ethic and independence from a young age. She excelled academically, graduating from Stanford University with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1950. At Stanford Law School, she was a standout student and graduated near the top of her class in 1952. Despite her academic achievements, she faced gender discrimination while seeking a job in law, a challenge that was common for women in the field at the time.

Early Career: Unable to find a position in a law firm, O'Connor turned to public service, working as a deputy county attorney in San Mateo, California. After moving back to Arizona, she served as an assistant attorney general. Her political career began in 1969 when she was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Arizona State Senate. She was subsequently re-elected to two two-year terms. In 1975, she was elected to the Maricopa County Superior Court, and in 1979, she was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals.

Supreme Court Justice: In 1981, President Ronald Reagan nominated O'Connor as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, fulfilling his campaign promise to appoint the first woman to the highest court in the United States. Her appointment was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. As a Justice, O'Connor was known for her pragmatic approach to the law and often provided a crucial swing vote in many important decisions, including cases related to abortion rights, affirmative action, and election law.

O'Connor's jurisprudence was characterized by a moderate-conservatism, though she couldn't be neatly pigeonholed into an ideological category. She often emphasized the importance of state autonomy and was known for her detailed, case-by-case analysis of each matter before her.

Retirement and Legacy: O'Connor retired from the Supreme Court in 2006 to care for her husband, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Post-retirement, she remained active in various law-related and civic endeavors, including advocating for civics education and judicial independence.

O'Connor's legacy is marked by her trailblazing role as the first woman on the Supreme Court and her significant impact on American jurisprudence. Her career has inspired countless women to pursue careers in law and public service, and her jurisprudential approach continues to be studied and admired.

Remarks Announcing the Intention To Nominate Sandra Day O'Connor To Be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

July 7, 1981

The President. Ladies and gentlemen, I have a statement to make. And then following that statement, if there are any questions you might have, I shall refer you to the Attorney General.

As President of the United States, I have the honor and the privilege to pick thousands of appointees for positions in Federal Government. Each is important and deserves a great deal of care for each individual called upon make his or her contribution, often at personal sacrifice, to shaping the policy of the Nation. Thus each has an obligation to you, in varying degrees, has an impact on your life.

In addition, as President, I have the privilege to make a certain number of nominations which have a more lasting influence on our lives, for they are the lifetime appointments of those men and women called upon to serve in the judiciary in our Federal district courts and courts of appeals. These individuals dispense justice and provide for us these most cherished guarantees of protections of our criminal and civil laws. But, without doubt, the most awesome appointment is a guarantee to us of so many things, because it is a President -- as a President, I can make an appointment to the United States Supreme Court.

Those who sit in the Supreme Court interpret the laws of our land and truly do leave their footprints on the sands of time. Long after the policies of Presidents and Senators and Congressmen of any given era may have passed from public memory, they'll be remembered.

After very careful review and consideration, I have made the decision as to my nominee to fill the vacancy on the United States Supreme Court created by the resignation of Justice Stewart. Since I am aware of the great amount of speculation about this appointment, I want to share this very important decision with you as soon as possible.

Needless to say, most of the speculation has centered on the question of whether I would consider a woman to fill this first vacancy. As the press has accurately pointed out, during my campaign for the Presidency I made a commitment that one of my first appointments to the Supreme Court vacancy would be the most qualified woman that I could possibly find.

Now, this is not to say that I would appoint a woman merely to do so. That would not be fair to women nor to future generations of all Americans whose lives are so deeply affected by decisions of the Court. Rather, I pledged to appoint a woman who meets the very high standards that I demand of all court appointees. I have identified such a person.

So today, I'm pleased to announce that upon completion of all the necessary checks by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, I will send to the Senate the nomination of Judge Sandra Day O'Connor of Arizona Court of Appeals for confirmation as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

She is truly a person for all seasons, possessing those unique qualities of temperament, fairness, intellectual capacity, and devotion to the public good which have characterized the 101 brethren who have preceded her. I commend her to you, and I urge the Senate's swift bipartisan confirmation so that as soon as possible she may take her seat on the Court and her place in history.

Reporter. Do you agree with her position on abortion, Mr. President?

The President. I said that I was going to turn over all questions to the Attorney General here and let him answer the questions.

Q. But the right-to-life people object, and we just wonder if -- --

The President. All those questions the Attorney General is prepared to answer.

Q. But, Mr. President, you have such a firm position on that. Can you give us your feelings about her position on that?

The President. I am completely satisfied.

Q. On her right-to-life position?

The President. Yes.

Q. And did you interview her personally?

The President. Yes.

Note: The President spoke at 10:46 a.m. to reporters assembled in the Briefing Room at the White House. His remarks were broadcast live on radio and television.

The Office of the Press Secretary also released a transcript of Attorney General William French Smith's question-and-answer session with the reporters.

Later in the day, Deputy Press Secretary Larry Speakes announced that the President and Judge O'Connor had met in the Oval Office on July 1. Also attending the meeting were the Attorney General and members of the White House staff.

This story was written by the GoLocalProv News Team with content from the Reagan Library and ChatGPT.

December, 2023

Groundbreaking Television Writer and Producer Norman Lear Dies at 101

Television writer and producer Norman Lear has died at the age of 101. 

Lear was born on July 27, 1922, in New Haven, Connecticut. He served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war, Lear began his career in the entertainment industry as a writer for comedy shows.

He gained widespread recognition and success as the creator and producer of several groundbreaking television sitcoms that addressed social and political issues of the time. Notable among them were "All in the Family," "Maude," "The Jeffersons," and "Good Times."

"All in the Family," which debuted in 1971, was particularly influential, challenging societal norms and addressing controversial topics. It became one of the most acclaimed and popular television shows of its era. Lear's other productions also made significant contributions to the cultural landscape, tackling issues such as racism, sexism, and class struggle.

In addition to his work in television, Lear was involved in activism and philanthropy. He co-founded the advocacy organization People for the American Way, which focuses on civil liberties and progressive causes.

Lear's impact on American television and culture has earned him numerous awards and honors, including multiple Emmy Awards. He was known for his wit, intelligence, and commitment to using the medium of television to engage with important social issues.

This was written by GoLocalProv Team with content from Chat GPT.