Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Almond has died at age 86.
Almond, a Central Falls native, won consecutive terms as governor in 1994 and 1998, and he was the first governor to serve after voters extended terms for statewide officials from two to four years.
A moderate Republican and longtime former U.S. attorney in Rhode Island, Almond did not have the razzle-dazzle of Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci, who was at his apex of acclaim in the 1990s, but he was considered quietly effective. He also had the benefit of serving during good economic times.
After serving in the U.S. Navy, Almond graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1959. He served as Town Administrator of Lincoln in the ‘60s and was first appointed U.S. Attorney in 1969 by President Richard Nixon.
In a statement, Gov. Dan McKee said, “Governor Almond often said his number one goal was to make Rhode Island a place where people wanted to work and raise a family. Whether it was expanding the number of state subsidized child care seats, increasing education aid, investing in Rhode Island’s institutions of higher education, creating thousands of good paying jobs and laying the foundation for Quonset to be the economic engine it is today – Rhode Island was better off because of his eight years as governor.”
Phil West, longtime former director of Common Cause Rhode Island, called Almond “a truly historic figure” who committed to emphasizing the separation of powers, and the checks and balances, of the branches of state government.
In the early 2000s, Almond supported what would in 2004 become changes to the Rhode Island Constitution that underscored the three branches of state government and barred state legislators from also sitting on boards and commissions.
“I believe Linc Almond provided key leadership in the crucial constitutional reform that laid the cornerstone of American constitutional government — the separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers — for Rhode Island.”
Other tributes flowed in on Tuesday.
“Governor Almond brought the power of his presence and compassion to his career as a faithful public servant,” tweeted former state GOP Chairman Brandon Bell.
Ed Quinlan, a former head of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, said Almond “led a full, full life and he was devoted to his family and his state. He was a true public servant.”
Quinlan is married to Lisa Peslosi, a former communications director for Almond. The governor wed the couple 22 years ago.
Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, a Democrat, said in a statement he served in the state senate while Almond was governor.
“His leadership helped transform our state, particularly with regard to economic development, infrastructure, and investment in our institutions of higher learning,” Ruggerio said. “He led with humility, compassion and class, and he left our state a better place to live and work.”
State House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi, also a Democrat, lauded Almond’s career in public service.
“He was an outstanding town administrator in Lincoln and was nationally recognized as a U.S. Attorney,” Shekarchi said in a statement. “He capped off his career with eight years as Governor, always displaying dignity and compassion while working in a bipartisan fashion to accomplish so much for the people of Rhode Island.”
This developing story will be updated.
