SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THOMAS JOSEPH HOLLAND

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2026 -- S 2514
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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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
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WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Thomas
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Joseph Holland, the devoted husband of the late Veronica "Ronnie" Holland for 55 years. Thomas
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was a beloved father, grandfather and good friend to many; and
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WHEREAS, Thomas Joseph Holland was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up with
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a loving family that had recently immigrated from Ireland. After graduating from college in 1959,
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Thomas married Veronica, the love of his life, and together they built a beautiful life in Rhode
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Island while raising their three daughters, Marybeth Holland O’Hearn, Patricia Holland Draves,
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and Margaret Holland McDuff. Throughout his life, Mr. Holland strongly embraced the
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principles and values of family, education, and hard work; and
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WHEREAS, Tom worked tirelessly throughout his life to provide for his family and
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loved ones and was able to do so thanks to his highly successful career in sales and marketing for
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specialty chemical companies. He took great pride in assisting and advising his clients to
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successfully bring their visions and ideas to fruition; and
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WHEREAS, In retirement, Tom and his wife enjoyed the snowbird lifestyle, as they
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divided their time between Cape Cod and Fort Myers, Florida. Both homes became gathering
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places for their children and grandchildren, where many living room “musical shows” were held,
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along with joyous 4th of July lobster celebrations; and
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WHEREAS, After his wife’s passing, Mr. Holland devoted his life to the Secular
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Franciscan Order, living out the Gospel through charity, humility and kindness within the
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nurturing communities at St. Columbkille Church in Fort Myers, later at St. Patrick Church in

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Grand River, Iowa, and most recently at the Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth,
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Illinois; and
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WHEREAS, In his final years, Mr. Holland settled in the Midwest with his daughter
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Patricia and her husband, Jeffrey, where he shared his New York humor and sensibilities with his
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new-found friends; and
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WHEREAS, In addition to his children, Marybeth Holland O’Hearn, Patricia Holland
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Draves, and Margaret Holland McDuff, Mr. Holland leaves behind his six grandchildren, Kati,
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Kara, Benjamin, William, Thomas, and Matthew, his sister, Peggy, and two sons-in-law, Jeffrey
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and Michael. Mr. Holland was preceded in death by his wife, Veronica, his granddaughter,
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Alison, his son-in-law, Tom, his brother, Edward, and other family members; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest
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condolences on the passing of Thomas Joseph Holland; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Marybeth Holland O’Hearn, Patricia Holland
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Draves, and Margaret Holland McDuff.
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