The United States Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the First Circuit (“BAP”) mourns the loss of the Hon. Arthur N. Votolato, who passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2017.  Judge Votolato had a long and distinguished career as a jurist.  In 1968, he was appointed as the first bankruptcy judge for the District of Rhode Island and served continuously in that capacity for 44 years before retiring in 2012.  When he retired, Judge Votolato was the country’s longest sitting bankruptcy judge with continuous service.

In addition, Judge Votolato served the BAP from its inception in 1980 to its dissolution in 1983, and again from 1996, when the BAP was reinstated, until 2012, when he retired.  During his BAP tenure, Judge Votolato acted as the BAP’s chief judge from 1996 to 2003, authored many opinions, compiled a history of the BAP, and meticulously maintained its archives. 

The BAP will always remember Judge Votolato with fondness and gratitude.