Former chief justice Weisberger dies

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Joseph R. Weisberger has died, according to Rhode Island Judiciary spokesman Craig Berke. Weisberger was 92.

Weisberger took over as Chief Justice in 1993, after two predecessors were forced out by scandal. After 45 years on the bench -- moving up through the ranks of state courts -- he retired in 2000, at the age of 80. He was widely credited for restoring public faith in the state's courts.

"Justice Weisberger was amongst the giants of our judicial system," said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin Friday in a news release. "His keen intellect was on display in every opinion he authored, and the respect he garnered went well beyond the borders of Rhode Island.

"We can take comfort that his service will positively affect all Rhode Islanders for generations to come."

At retirement, Weisberger said his only regrets were aging -- and having to retire.

After leaving the high bench, Weisberger helped lead the court's mediation program, according to our news partners The Providence Journal. Before becoming chief justice, he was a Superior Court judge, and before that, he served as a Republican state senator.

Weisberger is survived by his wife Sylvia, and his children J. Robert Weisberger, Jr. and Judith Greene. He was the father of the late Paula Ann Wroblewski.

Funeral arrangements are still pending.

Statements on Weisberger's Passing

“Chief Justice Weisberger’s jurisprudential legacy will forever be carved in the legal and judicial communities in Rhode Island and beyond,” said Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell.  “We are forever grateful for his numerous contributions to our state and for the many years of leadership and vision he provided to Rhode Island’s Judiciary and the citizens we serve.”

"Chief Justice Weisberger was held in the highest regard among jurists throughout the country,’’ said Supreme Court Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg. “He served his state, his country and his community for more than half a century.  He did so with dignity and honor.  Whenever there was a call to duty, Chief Justice Weisberger answered the call.  He was the epitome of the greatest generation."

“This is a passing of a giant, not only in legal circles, but the entire state as well,” said Supreme Court Justice Francis X. Flaherty. “Justice Weisberger’s legacy will be the example of intelligence, integrity and hard work.”

Said Supreme Court Justice William P. Robinson III, “The poet Stephen Spender has a first line that reads: ‘I think continually of those who were truly great.’ When I think of a truly great person that I have known in my life, Chief Justice Weisberger springs to mind. He was not only brilliant and effective, he was a profoundly good human being.”

Supreme Court Justice Gilbert V. Indeglia recalled his first encounter as a young attorney with Judge Weisberger in the Superior Court. It was during a conference in chambers when Judge Weisberger began speaking Latin in explaining his ruling on a criminal matter. “It was absolutely magnificent and I left that meeting in awe of him, and I have been in awe of him ever since,” Justice Indeglia said.