Former RI Gov. Lincoln Almond, 86, Dies

PROVIDENCE, RI — Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Almond, 86, has died, Gov. Dan McKee said Tuesday morning.

"Susan and I are saddened to learn of the passing of former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Almond," McKee said in a statement. "The first governor to serve a four-year term, Governor Almond often said his number one goal was to make Rhode Island a place where people wanted to work and raise a family."

Almond, a Republican, was elected governor in 1994, after an unsuccessful run in 1978. When elected, Rhode Island was dealing with a multitude of issues, including a banking crisis and a series of corruption scandals that tarnished the reputations of a former governor and two state Supreme Court Justices.

Almond promised to promote honest government and a strong economy. In his first term, he was credited by many on both sides of the political aisle with helping create nearly jobs in the Ocean State, amid the internet boom. He was re-elected in 1998, defeating Democrat Myrth York a second time.

"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," McKee added. "We thank Governor Almond for his decades of service to Rhode Island, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time."

Almond was born in Pawtucket in 1936 and graduated from Central Falls High School. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Almond graduated from the University of Rhode Island, where he met his future wife, Marilyn. He then graduated from law school at Boston University.

Prior to becoming governor, Almond served three terms as Lincoln's town administrator and served as former President Richard Nixon's U.S. attorney for Rhode Island. He held the job for almost 25 years.

McKee ordered flags at all state facilities and buildings to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Almond. The flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of his interment, McKee said.