2025 -- H 5041
========
LC000016
========
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. 2025
____________
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE P ASSING OF MELVIN L. ZURIER
Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Ajello, Chippendale, Kislak,
Kennedy, Solomon, Ackerman, Azzinaro, and Boylan
Date Introduced: January 14, 2025
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Melvin 1
L. Zurier, the beloved husband of the late Janet Zurier for 71 years; and 2
WHEREAS, Melvin Zurier was born in Providence, the son of the late Louis and Frances 3
Zurier, and was the brother of the late Hilda Glickman and Rosalind Gever; and 4
WHEREAS, Mr. Zurier was part of the first generation of his family to be born in the 5
United States, and was the first member of his family to attend college. Mr. Zurier attended the 6
Henry Barnard School, Classical High School, Harvard College, and Harvard Law School. While 7
at Harvard, he obtained a commission in the United States Air Force Reserve and went on to 8
serve in the United States Air Force Reserve, where he served in the Judge Advocate General 9
Corps, retiring with the rank of Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve; and 10
WHEREAS, On July 4, 1950, Melvin Zurier met the love of his life, Janet Rosen of 11
Allentown, Pennsylvania, and after a whirlwind courtship, they married on July 4, 1951. The 12
Zuriers returned to Providence with Mr. Zurier practicing law. His tireless work ethic, abiding 13
integrity and vast knowledge of the law came to the attention of Rhode Island Governor John 14
Notte, who appointed him to serve as his Executive Counsel. Later, in 1962, Mr. Zurier was a 15
founding member of the Temkin, Merolla & Zurier law firm, where he worked for nearly twenty 16
years. Mr. Zurier later practiced with the law firms of Levy, Goodman, and Licht & Seminoff 17
until 2008; and 18
WHEREAS, Melvin Zurier had a long and distinguished career of exemplary public and 19
community service. He served as the Chairman of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission, and 20
LC000016 - Page 2 of 2
served as the President of Temple Beth El, and the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association. 1
He also supported numerous charitable, political and educational organizations, including the 2
Jewish Federation of Rhode Island and the Classical High School Varsity Club; and 3
WHEREAS, Mr. Zurier a devoted family man his entire life, leaves behind his four 4
children, Rebecca Zurier and her husband, Thomas Willette, the Honorable Samuel Zurier and his 5
wife, Lauren, Benjamin Zurier and his wife, Linda Movish, and Sarah Zurier and her husband, 6
Jonathan Bell, and his eight grandchildren Rachel Zurier and her husband, Daniel Fishman, Jack, 7
Hannah, William, and Joseph Zurier, Nathan and Aaron Willette, and Zachary Bell. Mr. Zurier 8
also leaves behind many nieces and nephews; now, therefore be it 9
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 10
expresses its condolences on the passing of Melvin L. Zurier; and be it further 11
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 12
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Senator Samuel D. Zurier and Family. 13
========
LC000016
========