PROVIDENCE – Joseph Garrahy, the governor who will always be remembered for the flannel shirt he wore while directing Blizzard of '78 clean-up, has died in Florida at the age 81.

The Democrat served from 1977 to 1985.

Garrahy, who was born in Providence, joined the United States Air Force after attending college, serving until 1955. After his military service, Garrahy married Margherite De Pietro; the couple had five children.

Garrahy's political career began in 1962 when he was elected to the Rhode Island Senate. In 1968 he was elected lieutenant governor and served that office until he was elected governor.

In 1988, Garrahy was named to the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.