2019 Parade Grand Marshal
Robert “Bobby” Lehane
Colleen Hastings was born in 1961 to Thomas F. and Ester L. (Ring) Hastings. She was one of eight children (Kathleen, Guy, Mary Ann, Mark, Celeste, Patricia, and Rebecca) and grew up on Mill Street. She lived in a traditional large family in a time when all the families in the neighborhoods knew each other and elementary schools dotted the City by the Sea. Colleen is a 1981 graduate of Rogers High School. She is a lifelong parishioner of Saint Mary’s Church.
During her years growing up in Newport, she spent much time at the Boys and Girls Club, a place her family was very active in. These times, and growing up in a large family, helped to teach her valuable life lessons.
After Rogers high school she attended the University of Rhode Island, graduating in 1985 with a B.A. in Communications and Spanish. She followed up URI with a law degree from Suffolk University Law School, graduating in 1991.
From 1993 to 2008 she was the President/Owner of the Family Law Center of Rhode Island. As if this was not a big enough job, she was also the Assistant City Solicitor for Newport from 1998 to 2007! She served as the Assistant Legal Counsel to Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Paiva Weed from 2004 to 2007 and a Rhode Island Family Court Magistrate from 2007 to 2009. In 2009 she was sworn in as a Rhode Island District Court Associate Judge assigned to Newport County District Court where she currently presides.
Colleen has served as the President of the Newport County Bar Association and has volunteered countless hours with many local non-profits, including the Woman’s Resource Center of Newport, Lucy’s Hearth, Newport County YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Newport County, Saint Mary’s Church, the Shantel Bailey Project Scholarship Committee, and on the Board of Directors of Saint Clare’s.
She has received numerous awards including the Rhode Island Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Awards and Continuing Services Awards for steadfast and distinguished public service. She has been honored as a Who’s Who Executive & Professional and 2,000 Notable American Women.
Colleen is the mother of Isaiah, Lincoln, and Joshua Janes. Her grandparents are of Irish lineage hailing from Cobh County Cork and Westport County Mayo.
The Parade Committee is proud to announce their selection of Judge Colleen M. Hastings as the 62nd Annual Grand Marshal of the Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
About This Year’s Button:
Our yearly button designs try to incorporate the vocation or interests of our Grand Marshal. For the 2019 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade our Grand Marshal is Robert “Bobby” Lehane. The “Celtic Cross”, with its beautiful interlace, signifies the Grand Marshals ethnic heritage and his active role in the Knights of Columbus, the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization. The 2-color nimbus represents a halo for his grace, faith, and compassion. All of which is displayed on the Irish tricolor.
The Parade Committee, an all-volunteer group of people, work tirelessly year-round to perform the countless tasks required to produce the many events that take place, culminating in the Parade. One of most enjoyable task is designing the Official Parade logo honoring our Grand Marshal. Often, working with a designer, we go though many prototypes. The Lehane year was no different. This year let us share one of our prototype designs. Hope you enjoy it!
So why was this design not used? Golf is one of the Grand Marshal’s passions. The color purple, a favorite of Bobby’s. However, in the end, the traditional Celtic Cross verses the Scottish golf club and ball was chosen. Thanks for all the hard work by the designer, Mike Marshal, and the Committee!
