SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THOMAS JOSEPH HOLLAND, the official text

S2514 2026 -- S 2514 ======== LC004122 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THOMAS JOSEPH HOLLAND Introduced By: Senators Lawson, Lauria, DiPalma, Acosta, DiMario, Famiglietti, Appollonio, Urso, Tikoian, and Vargas Date Introduced: February 10, 2026 Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration 1 WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Thomas 2 Joseph Holland, the devoted husband of the late Veronica Ronnie Holland for 55 years. Thomas 3 was a beloved father, grandfather and good friend to many; and 4 WHEREAS, Thomas Joseph Holland was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up with 5 a loving family that had recently immigrated from Ireland. After graduating from college in 1959, 6 Thomas married Veronica, the love of his life, and together they built a beautiful life in Rhode 7 Island while raising their three daughters, Marybeth Holland O’Hearn, Patricia Holland Draves, 8 and Margaret Holland McDuff. Throughout his life, Mr. Holland strongly embraced the 9 principles and values of family, education, and hard work; and 10 WHEREAS, Tom worked tirelessly throughout his life to provide for his family and 11 loved ones and was able to do so thanks to his highly successful career in sales and marketing for 12 specialty chemical companies. He took great pride in assisting and advising his clients to 13 successfully bring their visions and ideas to fruition; and 14 WHEREAS, In retirement, Tom and his wife enjoyed the snowbird lifestyle, as they 15 divided their time between Cape Cod and Fort Myers, Florida. Both homes became gathering 16 places for their children and grandchildren, where many living room “musical shows” were held, 17 along with joyous 4th of July lobster celebrations; and 18 WHEREAS, After his wife’s passing, Mr. Holland devoted his life to the Secular 19 Franciscan Order, living out the Gospel through charity, humility and kindness within the 20 nurturing communities at St. Columbkille Church in Fort Myers, later at St. Patrick Church in 1 Grand River, Iowa, and most recently at the Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth, 2 Illinois; and 3 WHEREAS, In his final years, Mr. Holland settled in the Midwest with his daughter 4 Patricia and her husband, Jeffrey, where he shared his New York humor and sensibilities with his 5 new-found friends; and 6 WHEREAS, In addition to his children, Marybeth Holland O’Hearn, Patricia Holland 7 Draves, and Margaret Holland McDuff, Mr. Holland leaves behind his six grandchildren, Kati, 8 Kara, Benjamin, William, Thomas, and Matthew, his sister, Peggy, and two sons-in-law, Jeffrey 9 and Michael. Mr. Holland was preceded in death by his wife, Veronica, his granddaughter, 10 Alison, his son-in-law, Tom, his brother, Edward, and other family members; now, therefore be it 11 RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest 12 condolences on the passing of Thomas Joseph Holland; and be it further 13 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 14 transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Marybeth Holland O’Hearn, Patricia Holland 15 Draves, and Margaret Holland McDuff. ======== LC004122 ======== LC004122 - Page 2 of 2