Felix A. Toupin
| Felix A. Toupin | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Lieutenant governor of Rhode Island | |
|
In office 1923–1925 |
|
| Governor | William S. Flynn |
| Preceded by | Harold Gross |
| Succeeded by | Nathaniel W. Smith |
| 16thMayor of Woonsocket, Rhode Island | |
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In office 1930–1936 |
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| Preceded by | J. Hector Paquin |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Pratt |
| 18thMayor of Woonsocket, Rhode Island | |
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In office 1939–1940 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Pratt |
| Succeeded by | Henri Roberge |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 31, 1886 Village of Manville, Rhode Island, town of Lincoln, Rhode Island |
| Died | October 7, 1965 (aged 79) Woonsocket, Rhode Island |
| Resting place | St. James Cemetery, Lincoln RI |
| Nationality | French Canadian American |
| Political party |
Democratic (until 1936) Republican (1936-1940) |
| Spouse(s) | Delia A. Chapon (d. 1962), Blanche B. Lavimodiere |
| Parents | Dieudonne and Mary (Proulx) Toupin |
| Residence |
Lincoln, Rhode Island, Woonsocket, Rhode Island (after 1930) |
| Profession | Politician, lawyer, and realtor |
Felix A. Toupin (August 31, 1886 – October 7, 1965), was a lawyer and politician of French Canadian descent. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island and Mayor of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He is most remembered for his 1924 filibuster in the Rhode Island Senate during a time of extreme partisanship.
Toupin was born in the village of Manville, Rhode Island, in the town of Lincoln. His parents Dieudonne and Mary (Proulx) Toupin were French Canadian immigrants. Toupin is a graduate of La Salle Academy, and Joliette Seminary in Quebec. He graduated from Boston University School of Law in 1913.
On return from his service in World War I, Toupin practiced law in Manville and Woonsocket. Toupin owned extensive real estate across northern Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts.
Toupin's first wife, Delia A. Chapon, died in 1962. Toupin remarried to Blanche B. Lavimodiere (1902-1982) in 1963. He had no children.
Felix A. Toupin served as Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, and later as Mayor of Woonsocket.
Toupin was elected Lieutenant Governor on a ticket with fellow Democrat William S. Flynn. Together with Robert E. Quinn, a state senator from West Warwick, the three young politicians wanted to push through a progressive agenda for Rhode Island. Their set of reforms included a 48-hour work week and an end to property qualifications for voting. At this time, Rhode Islanders who did not own property were not allowed to vote in city council elections (although they could vote in other races). Unfortunately, the Democrats were five votes shy of a majority, and were unable to pass their reforms. The Senate was at a deadlock for months. Most of Toupin's 1923 and 1924 were spent biding time and looking for ways to get a majority.
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