Philip Noel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Philip Noel
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| 68th Governor of Rhode Island | |
| In office January 2, 1973 – January 4, 1977 |
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| Lieutenant | J. Joseph Garrahy |
| Preceded by | Frank Licht |
| Succeeded by | J. Joseph Garrahy |
| Mayor of Warwick | |
| In office 1967–1973 |
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| Preceded by | Horace E. Hobbs |
| Succeeded by | Eugene J. McCaffrey, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Philip William Noel
June 6, 1931 Warwick, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Joyce Sandberg
(m. 1956; died 2019) |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Brown University (BA) Georgetown University (JD) |
Philip William Noel, born on June 6, 1931, is an American politician and lawyer. He was the 68th Governor of Rhode Island. He won his first election in 1972 and was re-elected in 1974.
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Early Life and Education
Philip Noel was born in Warwick, Rhode Island. His dad, Joe Noel, was an auto mechanic. His mom, Emma Crudeli Noel, worked with jewelry. Philip went to public schools in Warwick. In high school, he was a class president. He was also a top football player, named to the All-State team.
At 15, Philip started working as a commercial fisherman. Later, he earned a football scholarship to Georgetown University. He moved to Brown University when Georgetown stopped its football program. In 1954, he got a degree in Economics from Brown. Then, he went back to Georgetown to study Law. He hoped to join the FBI. While studying, he worked for Senator John O. Pastore in the Senate post office.
After getting his law degree, Noel opened his own law offices. He had offices in Providence and Warwick.
Family Life
Philip Noel married Joyce Anne Sandberg on October 20, 1956. Joyce was crowned Miss Rhode Island in 1953. She also took part in the 1953 Miss America pageant. In 1954, she was Miss Rhode Island USA. She competed in the 1954 Miss USA pageant. Philip and Joyce had five children together.
His wife, former Rhode Island First Lady Joyce Anne Noel, passed away on February 13, 2019.
Political Career
Senator Pastore encouraged Noel to run for office. In 1958, Noel ran for the Warwick city council but lost. He was elected in 1960 and served three terms. In 1966, he became Mayor of Warwick. He served as mayor from 1967 to 1973, also for three terms.
In 1972, he successfully ran to become Governor of Rhode Island. In 1976, Senator Pastore announced he would retire. Noel then decided to run for the Senate seat.
Governor of Rhode Island
As governor, Noel helped create the Rhode Island Port Authority. This group could take control of former U.S. military lands. He also started the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development. This department helps the state's economy grow. He also supported a law that created the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation (RIHMFC). This group helps people get housing and mortgages.
President Nixon asked Governor Noel to travel to China for a diplomatic mission. Later, President Ford appointed Noel to the U.S. Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. This group works on relationships between different levels of government.
In 1976, Noel was the Acting Chairman of the Platform Committee. This committee helps write the goals for the Democratic National Convention. He was also the Chairman of the Democratic Governors' Conference.
Life After Politics
After his time as governor, Noel went back to practicing law. He also became a successful real estate developer. He started several new companies in the petroleum industry. Most of these companies were based in Louisiana.
In his later years, Noel stayed active in business. He owned a marina and a country club in Warwick. He and his wife lived in Estero, Florida for part of the year. He still does legal work for his family's businesses, including a rice farm in Louisiana. He has three great-grandchildren.
In 2011, Philip Noel was honored. He was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.
