Inductees from 1986

Brother Adelard Beaudet (1884-1990)
Categories: Education & Universities, Religion & Churches, Sports - Hockey

Brother Adelard Beaudet, 1884-1990, was "The father of Schoolboy Hockey in Rhode Island", and became the first coach of the sport at Mt. St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket in 1930. As a teacher and coach, his MSC teams won ten state championships and two national titles in thirty years. Read more >
Edwin C. Brown (1910-2010)
Categories: Civic Leaders, Education & Universities, Government & Politics

Edwin Brown, 1910-2010, was one of the foremost proponents of organized labor in the State. He was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the RI AFL, and later was a key negotiator in the merger of the AFL with CIO. He served on the State Board of Education and later the Board of Regents for twenty-eight years, being elected Chairman in 1964. He served a myriad of causes in Rhode Island and received honorary degrees from URI and Bryant, and was honored with the United Way's National Beirne Award in 1981. Read more >
Eugene J. Buonaccorsi
Categories: Literature / Writers / Newspapers, Military

Eugene Buonaccorsi was sports editor of the Providence Journal-Bulletin, spending forty-six years in sports journalism. He began his career as a Journal schoolboy reporter and copy editor, and was named assistant sports editor in 1946, after serving as a U.S. Army Airborne test glider Captain in WWII. Read more >
Dr. Joseph Conte
Categories: Education & Universities, Music (Singers, Composers)

Dr. Joseph Conte was a renowned music director who had a long and eventful career as a concertmaster, conductor, bandmaster, violinist, and teacher. He was concertmaster of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra for twenty-one years. Conte was the founder and conducted The Young People's Symphony of Rhode Island for sixteen years. Read more >
Edward Harris (1801-1872)
Categories: Industry - Textiles, Philanthropists

Edward Harris, 1801-1872, was considered the City of Woonsocket's most prominent citizen in the 19th century. His contributions are found in the economic, political, and social fiber of his native city, as Woonsocket's first millionaire, and in helping to establish the area as the state's leading textile center. A leading philanthropist, he donated numerous buildings and land areas to Woonsocket, ran three times as the "Free Soil" candidate for governor, founded two banks and much of the credit for the development of the city of Woonsocket goes to him. Read more >
Philip J. Holton (1899-1976)
Categories: Civil Engineer

The late Philip J. Holton, 1899-1976, was Chief Engineer for the Providence Water Supply Board for thirty-five years. He built the city's water system into one of the largest in New England and one of the most modern in the world. He was appointed superintendent of the Scituate Reservoir in 1933, and became its' chief engineer in 1941. Read more >
Rev. Msgr. Charles W. McConnell
Categories: Religion & Churches

The late Very Reverend Monseignor McConnell was Diocesan Director of the Rhode Island CYO for twenty-five years, where he supervised the activities and influenced the lives of more than 25,000 youth. As pastor of St. Teresa's Parish in Providence, he served for many years as State Chaplain for the Rhode Island Chapter of the Boy Scouts of America. A scholar and athlete for both LaSalle Academy and Providence College, Reverend McConnell was named "Padre of Youth for the United States", at ceremonies conducted at our nation's Capitol, the highest tribute that the National Council of Bishops on Youth Activities can bestow on an individual. Read more >
Dr. Eleanor M. McMahon (1929-2002)
Categories: Civic Leaders, Education & Universities, Women

Dr. Eleanor McMahon, 1929-2002, was the Rhode Island Commissioner of Higher Education and former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Rhode Island College. A Brown University Alumni Trustee, she has been the recipient of five honorary doctoral degrees and is the author of twenty treatises on education. Beginning her distinguished career as a classroom teacher in Pawtucket, she devoted her life to education. Read more >
John E. Moran (1913-1997)
Categories: Business / Entrepreneurs, Civic Leaders, Education & Universities, Government & Politics, Military, Sports - Baseball, Sports - Football

John E. Moran, 1913-1997, served as President and Co-founder of McLaughin & Moran Distributors, which was a recognized leader in its' field for over fifty years. An outstanding all-state athlete out of LaSalle Academy, he starred for Manhattan College in football and baseball. For the next fifty years, with time out for U. Read more >

Browse through our collection of 750+ amazing Rhode Islanders:

Search by Name or Keyword:

Area of Accomplishment:

Inductees from 1986

Brother Adelard Beaudet (1884-1990)

Edwin C. Brown (1910-2010)

Eugene J. Buonaccorsi

Dr. Joseph Conte

Edward Harris (1801-1872)

Philip J. Holton (1899-1976)

Rev. Msgr. Charles W. McConnell

Dr. Eleanor M. McMahon (1929-2002)

John E. Moran (1913-1997)

Search by Name or Keyword:

Area of Accomplishment:

Browse Years of Induction: