2023 -- H 6415
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE P ASSING OF THE HONORABLE BRYAN K.
WILSON
Introduced By: Representatives Spears, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Ajello,
Felix, Shallcross Smith, Edwards, Casey, and Bennett
Date Introduced: May 18, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, The Honorable Bryan K. Wilson was born in Summit, New Jersey, a son of 1
Donald Keith Wilson and Julia Ann Wilson, and the devoted husband of Amy Veldman-Wilson; 2
and 3
WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson graduated from Summit High School and Princeton University, 4
where he studied architectural engineering and played on the volleyball team. After graduation, 5
he worked in construction on Block Island for a few years before moving with his family to 6
Oregon to attend the University of Oregon, where he studied architecture with a focus on 7
designing buildings that honor and respect a city’s history, heritage, culture and traditions. 8
However, Mr. Wilson’s love for Block Island never abated, and every summer while in graduate 9
school, he would return to Block Island to work construction, pick blackberries, and body surf; 10
and 11
WHEREAS, After graduating from the University of Oregon with a Master’s degree in 12
architecture, he returned for good to Block Island and established his company, ZMA 13
Design/Build. He was a committed environmentalist and humanitarian who believed it was his 14
responsibility to make the world a better place in which to live for future generations; and 15
WHEREAS, In addition to designing and building charming homes, Mr. Wilson devoted 16
much of his free time engaging in important civic activities. He was a well-respected member of 17
the New Shoreham Town Council, serving the community with tireless devotion and abiding 18
integrity. He also volunteered to serve on numerous boards and committees, including the Block 19
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Island Fire and Rescue Squad, the North Light Commission, the Historic District Commission, 1
the Recreation Board, and the Block Island Wind Farm; and 2
WHEREAS, In 2009, Mr. Wilson joined the Deepwater Wind team as the liaison for the 3
Block Island Wind Farm. He would later become the first offshore wind farmer in America, and 4
subsequently became the first offshore wind farm Manager in the United States. He was a lifelong 5
learner who had an endless interest and fascination with topics related to geology, oceanography, 6
the fishing industry, and Block Island’s ecosystem; and 7
WHEREAS, In his spare time, Mr. Wilson enjoyed travelling, and helped to created 8
many wonderful family memories of vacations in Mexico, Belize, Italy, the Netherlands and 9
many other places across the globe. He also loved music and his eclectic tastes ranged from 10
Moby and Pink Floyd to Black Sabbath and the Black Eyed Peas. Of course, his first love in life 11
besides his family was all things related to Block Island, particularly the Island’s wonderful 12
nature; and 13
WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Amy Veldman-Wilson, he was the devoted father of 14
Zacharia, Aisha, Mikayla, Maya, Ezekiel and Amira, the honorary father of Joee, John, and Chris, 15
and the doting grandfather of Sydnee, Ryker, and Rowan Bryan. He also leaves behind his 16
siblings Suzanne, Gwyneth, Jean, Katie, Sean and Andrew; now, therefore be it 17
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 18
expresses its condolences on the passing of the Honorable Bryan K. Wilson; and be it further 19
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 20
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Amy Veldman-Wilson and Family. 21
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