St Germain, Former Congressman, Dies at 86

Former U.S. Congressman Fernand Joseph St Germain died at his Newport home on Saturday at the age of 86.

St Germain was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 1952 and served until 1961, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

He served as a congressman for 28 years.

A Democrat, St Germain was born in Blackstone, Mass., and went to school in Woonsocket, graduating from Our Lady of Providence Seminary High School in 1945.

He grated from Providence College in 1948 and served in the United States Army from 1949 to 1952.

He graduated from Boston University Law School in 1955 and as a congressman, served as chairman of the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs.

News of St Germain’s passing on Monday prompted numerous remembrances from political leaders past and present.

““Congressman St Germain was a soldier, accomplished lawyer and distinguished public servant. The son of a millworker from Woonsocket, Congressman St Germain was a strong voice for middle class families in Congress where he rose to serve as Chairman to the powerful House Banking Committee,” said U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline. “For nearly three decades he devoted his life to public service and faithfully served the people of Rhode Island in the United States Congress. His legacy will continue to benefit our state for years to come. Like all Rhode Islanders, I deeply mourn his loss and extend my condolences to the entire St Germain family.”