Raimondo Orders Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Former RI Superior Court Justice Orton III
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Governor Gina Raimondo is directing Rhode Island flags at all state agencies and buildings to fly at half-staff in honor of former RI Superior Court Justice John Orton III.
The flags will fly at half-staff on Wednesday, September 25 and remain at half-staff until sunset on Thursday, September 26.
“A lifelong Rhode Islander, John Orton III dedicated his life in service to our state and nation—as a Marine Corps veteran, an Associate Judge of the Rhode Island District Court and finally as a Rhode Island Superior Court Justice. He was known for being a loyal friend, a sharp legal mind and a judge who ruled first and foremost with fairness and compassion. My thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time,” said Raimondo.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRaimondo is also asking Rhode Islanders to lower their flags to half-staff.
Read Orton’s Obituary Below courtesy of The Quinn Funeral Home:
John E. Orton, III, Retired RI Superior Court Justice, passed away September 20, 2019. Beloved husband of Denise (D’Abate) Orton and the late Sabra W. (Webb) Orton. Born in Providence he was the son of the late John E. and Irene (Shea) Orton, Jr. John was the loving father of John W. Orton, Richard E. Orton (Karen), Christopher M. Orton (Elizabeth); stepfather of Karen E. Soderi (Paul), Sheila J. Felice (John); loving grandfather of Stephanie, Heather, Alexandra, Emma, Jackson, Calvin, Daniel and Nicholas; loving great-grandfather of Gibson, Avery and Emma; brother of Joyce Vanderwart.
He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Judge Orton was a graduate of Cranston High School, class of 1949, where he was class president, Cheshire Academy, class of 1950, Brown University, class of 1954, and the Boston University School of Law, class of 1962. A gifted athlete and proud member of the Brown University and Marine Corps football teams. He was admitted to the RI Bar Association in 1962 and practiced law in Warwick and Providence with Philip Noel, 1962-1969. Judge Orton was appointed as an Associate Justice of the RI District Court by Governor Frank Licht in 1969 and then appointed as an Associate Justice of the RI Superior Court by Governor Philip W. Noel in 1974, before retiring as acting presiding judge in 1991.
Judge Orton served in the US Marine Corps and the US Marine Corps Reserve.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 11 am in St. Kevin Church, Sandy Lane. Private burial will follow in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 pm in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to NEARI Children’s Fund, 99 Bald Hill Road, Cranston, RI 02920 will be appreciated.
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