December 06, 2019
In Memoriam: Hon. Joseph F. Rodgers, Jr. ’62 & ’01Hon.; retired R.I. Superior Court justice
Hon. Joseph F. Rodgers, Jr. ’62 & ’01Hon., retired presiding justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court, died on Dec. 6, 2019.
Born in Providence, he received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Providence College, where he developed an affinity for Friars basketball that lasted throughout his life. Following his graduation from PC, he earned his law degree from Boston University School of Law.
Justice Rodgers devoted much of his life to serving Rhode Island, including as a judge in two courts for 35 years. He served as a state senator from 1968-1974, during which time he chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and was vice chair of the Senate Labor Committee.
In 1974, at age 32, he became the youngest judge ever appointed to a statewide court when he was named associate judge of the R.I. District Court by Gov. Philip Noel. Just over two years later, he was appointed by Noel as associate justice of the state Superior Court. At the time, he again held the distinction of being the youngest person appointed to a seat at that level.
In 1991, Gov. Bruce Sundlun named Justice Rodgers the presiding justice of the Superior Court, a position he held until retiring in 2009.
As presiding justice, he was known for implementing changes to Superior Court that streamlined the legal process in the interest of all parties. He was credited with reducing trial delays for civil cases in Providence County and developing the Superior Court Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure. He also began a mediation program, expanded the arbitration program to the state’s counties, established a business calendar, and organized a Drug Court and the nation’s first Gun Court.
Throughout his career on the bench, Justice Rodgers helped prepare future generations of law enforcement personnel, teaching courses on law at PC, Roger Williams University, and the Community College of Rhode Island. In 2001, PC recognized his careers in law and the judiciary by bestowing on him an honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree at Commencement Exercises.
Justice Rodgers is survived by his wife, Donna; two sons, including Joseph F. Rodgers III ’00SCE; a daughter; a son-in-law; two granddaughters; and a sister.
His life was celebrated on Dec. 10 at a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Veronica Chapel in Narragansett, R.I.
