Robert O. Tiernan

Robert O. Tiernan, 85, of Matunuck Beach passed away after a brief illness on October 15, 2014. He was born in Providence, RI on February 24, 1929, son of the late Joseph and Mary (McConnell) Tiernan. He was the husband of the late Dorothy (McNally) Tiernan and is predeceased by his son, Robert Tiernan. Bob graduated from LaSalle Academy, where he was an All State hockey player, Providence College where he was a celebrated track star, and the Catholic University Columbus School of Law in Washington, DC. After graduating from law school, he returned to Rhode Island to practice law in Providence. He was elected to the State Senate in 1960, representing Warwick, RI where he and his wife Dorothy raised their three sons. In 1967, he was elected to the United States Congress and proudly represented the State of Rhode Island as a Congressman for seven years. Following his years in Congress, he was appointed to the Federal Election Commission by President Gerald Ford and served two terms as an election commissioner in Washington, DC. He returned to Rhode Island in the mid-1980s, and continued his law practice until his retirement in 2009. In 2002, Bob was honored to be inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. Bob took great pleasure in his travels to Ireland, particularly his visits to Ballybunion. He was a long time member of Point Judith Country Club where he enjoyed many golf matches and card games with friends. He dearly loved his family and many friends, and had a deep fondness for Rhode Island. Bob is survived by his son Michael Tiernan and wife Nola of Silver Spring, Md, son Christopher Tiernan of Burbank, Ca and grandchildren, Christopher and Caragh Lee. He is also survived by his dear friend and longtime companion, Lois Quinn, his brother Peter Tiernan and wife Barbara, sister Patricia Fegan and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by brothers, Joseph, Paul, and James Tiernan and his sisters Mary McGreevey and Betty Broderick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October, 21, 2014 at 10:30 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 114 High Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center for their kind and competent care. Charitable contributions may be sent to the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center, Home and Hospice Care, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI. www.hhcri.org.