Former Republican Congressman Ronald Sarasin Dies At 88

(UnitedHeadlines.com) – Ronald Sarasin, 88, passed away March 27 in McLean, Virginia, at his home.

Sarasin was born in Fall River, Massachusetts. He grew up in Beacon Falls, Connecticut, graduating in 1952 from Sarasin graduated from Naugatuck High School. In the mid-1950s he served in the Navy. He graduated from the University of Connecticut 1960, going on to graduate from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1963. 

He went on to teach law  from 1963 to 1966 at New Haven College, which is now known as the University of New Haven. From 1963 to 1972, he served as Beacon Falls legal counsel. 

He was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1968, serving from 1969-1973.

First elected in 1972, Sarasin was re-elected to the House for two more terms in 1974 and 1976. He represented the 5th District, located in the western part of the state of Connecticut. He ran for governor of Connecticut in 1978, losing the election to Ella Grasso, a Democrat, and first woman governor of Connecticut.

In 1978, he won the Republican nomination for governor but lost the election to Democrat Ella Grasso.

He worked for the National Restaurant Association as the chief lobbyist after his unsuccessful run for governor. He then went on to work for the National Beer Wholesalers Association as president and CEO.

Sarasin was U.S. Capitol Historical Society CEO and president from 2000 to 2018. Chartered by Congress, the U.S. Capitol Historical Society is responsible for educating visitors about the Capitol, its history and its people. Sarasin was responsible for establishing educational programs, such as a traveling exhibit about the role enslaved people had in the building of the Capitol, according to a Facebook post by the U.S. Capitol Historical Society regarding his death.

He is survived by his two sons and his wife of 24 years, Leslie. His funeral service will be held May 20 in Washington D.C.

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