Thomas Fay

Thomas Frederick Fay (October 13, 1940 – January 31, 2020) was the chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court from 1986 to 1993.

Thomas Fay
Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
In office
July 3, 1986  October 9, 1993
Preceded byJoseph A. Bevilacqua Sr.
Succeeded byJoseph R. Weisberger
Personal details
Born
Thomas Frederick Fay

(1940-10-13)October 13, 1940
Central Falls, Rhode Island
DiedJanuary 31, 2020(2020-01-31) (aged 79)
Cumberland, Rhode Island
Spouse
Paulette Demers
(m. 1965)
Children1 son, 1 daughter
EducationBoston University School of Law (J.D.)

Born in Central Falls, Rhode Island, and raised in Lincoln, Rhode Island, Fay received a law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1965.[1] He entered the private practice of law, and in 1968 was elected as a Democrat to the Rhode Island House of Representatives, where he became chair of the House Judiciary Committee. In May 1978, Governor J. Joseph Garrahy appointed Fay to the Rhode Island Family Court.[1]

In 1986, the chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, Joseph A. Bevilacqua Sr., was the subject of an impeachment investigation for ties to the mob and he submitted his resignation in May effective June 30, 1986. The state legislature elected Fay to succeed Bevilacqua on July 3, 1986.[2]

In 1993, Chief Supreme Court Justice Fay faced allegations of abusing his office to benefit himself and his allies in business and politics, and he resigned on October 9, 1993.[3][1] Later that year, he pled guilty to two felony charges and two misdemeanor charges of unethical conduct.[1]

Fay married Paulette Demers, with whom he remained for 54 years until his death, and with whom he had a daughter and a son.[1]

Fay died in Cumberland, Rhode Island, at the age of 79.[1]

References


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