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Bruce Sundlun, R.I.P.

Bruce Sundlun, R.I.P.

Former Rhode Island Governor Bruce Sundlun has died at age 91. 

Sundlun was a dominant figure in Rhode Island politics, and a true Rhode Island character.  A WWII veteran who was shot down behind enemy lines in Europe, and who joined the Belgian resistence before working his way back to Allied lines without being captured; the moving force behind the expansion of T.F. Green airport; and famously the shooter of racoons in his backyard in Newport:

The Providence Journal has coverage of Sundlun’s death and history.

Sundlun leaves a legacy few in Rhode Island can match.

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Comments

LukeHandCool | July 22, 2011 at 10:20 am

R.I.P.

It’s unsettling to think of the future without our great WWII veterans.

Agreed. Dr. Leonard Bellin, Senator Ray Durfee, Governor Sundlin, and on and on. All great men.

theOtherKen | July 22, 2011 at 1:26 pm

I think that Sundlun remains the only Democrat politician above the local level that I ever voted for and that was mostly due to his opponent, that idiot Ed DiPrete. In any case, he was an okay governor and a pretty decent guy.

Having never spent any time in Rhode Island other than driving through only once or twice, thus Mr. Sundlun is an unknown to me. However, after reading your post, this WWII vet would be welcomed in my foxhole anytime, anywhere and anyday of the week.