J. Joseph Garrahy
| J. Joseph Garrahy | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 69th Governor of Rhode Island | |
|
In office January 4, 1977 – January 1, 1985 |
|
| Lieutenant | Thomas R. DiLuglio |
| Preceded by | Philip W. Noel |
| Succeeded by | Edward D. DiPrete |
| 61st Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island | |
|
In office January 7, 1969 – January 4, 1977 |
|
| Governor |
Frank Licht Philip W. Noel |
| Preceded by | Joseph O'Donnell, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Thomas R. DiLuglio |
| Member of the Rhode Island Senate |
|
|
In office 1963–1969 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Joseph Garrahy November 26, 1930 Providence, Rhode Island |
| Died | January 24, 2012 (aged 81) West Palm Beach, Florida |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Margherite DePietro |
| Children | 5 |
| Residence | East Greenwich |
| Alma mater | University at Buffalo University of Rhode Island |
| Profession | Politician |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1953-1955 |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
John Joseph Garrahy (November 26, 1930 – January 24, 2012), known to Rhode Islanders as J. Joseph Garrahy or just "Joe," was an American politician. He served as the 69th Governor of Rhode Island from 1977 to 1985.
Garrahy was born on November 26, 1930 in Providence, Rhode Island. Garrahy achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on August 25, 1947, at age 16. He attended La Salle Academy in Providence, and in 1952 he attended the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. In 1953, he attended the University of Rhode Island. Later that year, Garrahy joined the United States Air Force, where he served until 1955. After his military service, Garrahy married Margherite De Pietro with whom he had five children. Garrahy embarked on a business career, primarily as a salesman with the Narragansett Brewing Company.
Garrahy was elected to the Rhode Island Senate in 1962 as a Democrat, and served there until 1968. While in the Senate, he also served as Deputy Majority leader from 1963 onwards.
In 1968, Garrahy was elected the 61st Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, and served in that office until 1977.
In November 1976 Garrahy was elected Governor of Rhode Island, defeating Republican James Taft in the general election with 54 percent of the vote. He took office in January 1977 and served as governor until 1985, after being reelected in 1978, 1980 and 1982. By the end of his four terms, Garrahy was immensely popular, and likely could have served longer if he wanted. On his death in 2012, Garrahy was remembered as a "people's governor" and a friend of the working class.
During his time as Governor, Garrahy:
The defining event of Garrahy's governorship was the Great Blizzard of February 1978. The blizzard paralyzed the entire state with up to 56 inches of snow. Grarrahy lived in his office at the Rhode Island State House in Providence for three days until the crisis was under control. Garrahy was remembered for wearing a a red and black plaid flannel shirt during the crisis. The shirt became widely associated with Garrahy; in 2000, he donated the shirt to the Rhode Island Historical Society, where it was placed on display. For years afterward, Garrahy would be asked about the shirt.
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