video: UPDATED: Bruce Sundlun Dies at 91, Tributes from Civic Leaders
Friday, July 22, 2011
Former Rhode Island Governor Bruce Sundlun has died today, July 21, at the age of 91.
Update: Funeral services for the late Gov. Bruce Sundlun are scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday at Temple Beth-El Synagogue in Providence. Rabbi Leslie Y. Gutterman will officiate. Sundlun was a longtime member of the Temple Beth El congregation and served as president of the temple’s board. The temple is at 70 Orchard Ave., on the city’s East Side.
The family of Governor Bruce Sundlun has requested that in lieu of flowers, people make donations to the Bruce Sundlun Scholarship Fund, c/o The Rhode Island Foundation, 1 Union Station, Providence, RI 02903 and the RI Free Clinic, 655 Broad Street, Providence, RI 02907.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGovernor, lawyer, corporate executive, military pilot, university lecturer, horseman. The man who closed the credit unions. The man who shot the raccoon. The second Jewish Governor of the state of Rhode Island and the only Jewish governor in the US during his two terms. Larger than life during a long life that spanned the Great Depression, World War II, the Sixties and the creation of the Internet, Bruce Sundlun was a vertiable colossus of Rhode Island, and national, times.
US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse paid tribute to the passing of his friend, in a moving moment on the floor of the US Senate today. Watch it here.
US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released a statement about Sundlun's death:
"I mourn the passing of Bruce Sundlun, a beloved friend and mentor. Bruce's accomplishments as an athlete, soldier, lawyer, businessman and politician would each make his a memorable life; together they made him one of the most remarkable and accomplished Rhode Islanders in our history.
"But most who knew Bruce will remember him for his personality: warm-hearted and funny, impatient and irrepressible, courageous and determined. No one who knew Bruce ever doubted where he stood. He was a towering figure in our state's history and a vibrant figure in the lives of his friends and family. My love, thoughts and prayers are with them."
Congressman James Langevin released the following statement:
“My thoughts and prayers go out to Governor Sundlun’s family at this difficult time.
“I was proud to work with Bruce going back to our time as delegates together at the state’s constitutional convention and then as a legislator when he served our state with distinction as governor. His was truly a life well-lived, an extraordinarily well-rounded and accomplished life from his time as an enlisted member of the Army Air Corps, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart, to the leadership he provided our state, to his dedication to civic and community organizations.
“I will always treasure the time we spent together. In particular, I remember our trip when I invited him as my guest to the World War II Memorial dedication in Washington and how proud Bruce was of his country and his fellow veterans who gave their lives for values that he so cherished.
“As we mourn his loss today, we also know that the indelible positive mark Bruce left by serving so many people, places and institutions in Rhode Island and beyond can never be erased. I was so lucky to have been able to call him a friend.”
Rhode Island Democratic Party Chairman Ed Pacheco released this statement:
"My condolences go out to the Sundlun family, friends and every Rhode Islander mourning the loss of Governor Sundlun. As someone who has been in politics from an early age, I have looked to Governor Sundlun as a benchmark for public service. I appreciate his dedication and commitment as a true public servant: decorated Army Air Corps pilot, businessman, lawyer, elected official, and a devoted Democrat who remained civically engaged throughout his life. He stood firm as executive officer of this state willing to face a difficult road, as he did with the banking crisis, with certitude and conviction. There are a number of iconic figures who have had a tremendous impact on politics in the Ocean State, and I most definitely would count Governor Sundlun among them. He will be sorely missed and always remembered."
Statement from Mayor Angel Taveras on the passing of Governor Bruce Sundlun:
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passage of Governor Bruce Sundlun. Governor Sundlun was a leader of grit and determination who cared deeply about Rhode Island and all of its residents. His legacy is one that will be remembered for many generations to come.
Governor Sundlun was generous with his time, and on numerous occasions expressed his support for the City of Providence as we navigated difficult times. For this I remain grateful.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sundlun family. I have requested that all City flags be flown at half-mast in Governor Sundlun’s honor, and I know that I join thousands of people across the Ocean State in honoring his memory and outstanding contributions to the State of Rhode Island.
US Congressman David Cicilline's statement on the passing of Former Governor Bruce Sundlun:
“Tonight I join my fellow Rhode Islanders in offering sympathy to the Sundlun family as we mourn the passing of Bruce Sundlun, a very talented and effective governor for our state.
“Bruce, who led Rhode Island through some very difficult times, lived a life committed to public service, serving his country with great honor both at home and abroad. He distinguished himself as a patriotic war hero, talented business leader, spirited athlete and gifted politician.
“A great friend to me, Bruce’s courage and passion set him apart as one remarkable man whose spirit will live on in our memories. His legacy and visionary accomplishments will continue to benefit Rhode Islanders for many years to come.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Sundlun family. He will be sorely missed.”
Governor Lincoln Chafee has issued the following statement:
Governor Bruce Sundlun lived an extraordinary life. But even with all of the events and successes of his long life, he will be best remembered as a Governor who guided Rhode Island through difficult times with direction, determination, and a fundamental belief in the people of our state.
From his distinguished military career, for which he was the recipient of the Purple Heart and the Flying Cross, to his unparalleled success in business, in which he led a Rhode-Island-based company to tremendous prosperity, Bruce Sundlun achieved greatness in each of his many endeavors.
His accomplishments as Governor were numerous, but Rhode Islanders encounter his most tangible legacies every day: the Rhode Island Convention Center, the Providence Place Mall, and the expansion of T.F. Green Airport, where the main terminal now bears his name.
It is with great sadness, particularly for his wife, Soozie, and his four children, that we mark Governor Sundlun’s death. He was a legend who will be missed across our state.
"I admired and respected former Governor Sundlun and was fortunate to call him both a consituent and a friend. A member of the Greatest Generation, Governor Sundlun devoted much of his life to service, both to our nation and our state. A successful businessman, he courageously addressed some of the most serious challenges our state has ever faced. The Senate sends its deepest condolences to Soozie and the entire Sundlun family."
House Speaker Gordon Fox released a statement on Friday, July 22:
“I am saddened by the passing of Governor Sundlun, a political hero and a man whom I truly adored. I was a volunteer on his first campaigns for Governor and I have fond memories of stuffing envelopes at his headquarters on Chalkstone Avenue in Providence. I was so proud when he won the election in 1990 and he immediately showed what a man of great courage and conviction that he was by leading our state through some very troubled times.
“It was such an honor to be elected as a State Representative two years later, and Governor Sundlun then became a mentor to me. He was always forthright and honest in all his dealings with the General Assembly. After he left office, he remained active and involved in talking with the Assembly leadership, offering to help our state in any way he could. I was so honored when he came to my office at the State House last year to congratulate me after I was elected Speaker.
“He would always say to me, ‘let’s keep pushing forward,’ which I believe was his true legacy. He really moved Rhode Island forward.”
