2023 -- H 5139
========
LC000679
========
S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
____________
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE P ASSING OF THE HONORABLE JAMES
GORMAN HAGAN
Introduced By: Representatives Newberry, Solomon, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Chippendale, J. Brien, Edwards, McGaw, McNamara, and Cortvriend
Date Introduced: January 17, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, It is with deepest sorrow that this House has learned of the passing of the 1
Honorable James Gorman Hagan, the beloved husband of Sheila for forty-nine years, the proud 2
father of Kelly Hagan and her husband, Richard Lumazza, and James Hagan and his wife, 3
Stephanie, and the cherished “Papa” of Mia Hagan Lumazza; and 4
WHEREAS, “Jim” as he was known to family and friends, was the son of the late Joseph 5
Henry Hagan and Claire Gorman Hagan. He grew up in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Pawtucket 6
and attended La Salle Academy and Providence College, serving as President of his class for all 7
four years; and 8
WHEREAS, Extremely proud and dedicated to his alma maters, Mr. Hagan was inducted 9
into the La Salle Hall of Fame in 2008, and served as MC for many LSA Hall of Fame induction 10
dinners. Upon graduation from PC, he remained a devoted and Faithful Friar, as a season ticket 11
holder for more than sixty years, and as the President of the Alumni Association and a longtime 12
member of the President’s Council; and 13
WHEREAS, After graduating from college, Mr. Hagan served as a First Lieutenant in the 14
US Army Intelligence Corps. He later served as Senior Vice President in the international 15
division of Tupperware Worldwide for twenty-seven years; and 16
WHEREAS, To the good fortune of all Rhode Islanders, the Honorable Jim Hagan chose 17
to devote his considerable talents and passion to political endeavors, initially as President of the 18
North Smithfield Town Council, and ultimately, with the love and support of his wife, Sheila, 19
LC000679 - Page 2 of 2
who served as his de facto campaign manager and consigliere, he served for five terms as a 1
Rhode Island State Senator; and 2
WHEREAS, In addition to his family, employment, and politics, the Honorable Jim 3
Hagan served the people of Providence and our state as President of the Greater Providence 4
Chamber of Commerce for almost twenty years, and was the former President of the New 5
England Chamber of Commerce Executives Association and the Vice-Chairman of the American 6
Chamber of Commerce Executives Association. He took great pride in being an active member 7
and driving force on the ‘Providence Renaissance’ team that created the City’s celebrated 8
Waterfire, the television show ‘Providence’, the RI Convention Center, and the RI Business 9
Expo; and 10
WHEREAS, Never one to remain idle, after retiring Mr. Hagan was the moderator of the 11
‘Lively Experiment’ on PBS for five years, and was an avid golfer who created and produced the 12
New England Golf Expo, was a former Director of the Sakonnet Golf Club, and was a Member of 13
the Sakonnet Point Club and the University Club. He was a board member of Collette Vacations, 14
Sovereign Bank, the Northern RI Advisory Board of Fleet Bank and a Corporator of the 15
Woonsocket Institution for Savings; and 16
WHEREAS, The Honorable Jim Hagan led a glorious life filled with distinguished and 17
widely-admired accomplishments for which he was honored with the US Senator John H. Chafee 18
Distinguished Citizen Award and the North Smithfield Citizen of the Year Award; and 19
WHEREAS, As a devoted family man, a role model, a mentor and inspiration, and a 20
loyal friend, Jim Hagan was a Rhode Island gem and a shining example of a life well lived, and 21
he will be dearly missed and always remembered; now, therefore be It 22
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 23
extends deepest condolences on the passing of the Honorable James Gorman Hagan; and be it 24
further 25
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 26
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Sheila Hagan and Family. 27
========
LC000679
========