2012 -- H 7102

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LC00533

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING SINCERE AND HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE

HONORABLE AUGUSTO W. SAOBENTO, ESQ.

     Introduced By: Representatives San Bento, Fox, E Coderre, Melo, and Malik

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2012

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness and regret that this House has learned of the passing

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of Augusto W. SaoBento, Esq., an individual of talent, intelligence, and integrity who devoted

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much of his life in service to the people of the State of Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, Born in Pawtucket, Augusto SaoBento, known as Gus to his family and

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many friends, was educated at Marieville Grammar School and North Providence High School. 

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He served our country with honor in the United States Army as a military police officer during

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World War II, and upon discharge returned to school, receiving his A.B. from Providence College

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and his LL.B. from Boston University Law School; and  

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     WHEREAS, Gus was the devoted husband of Carmela (Reale) SaoBento for forty-six

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years, and of the late Marie (Olivo) SaoBento.   He was the beloved father of Dennis SaoBento

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and his wife, Marie, and Cara Boyce and her husband, John.  He was also the proud grandfather

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of four, Alex, Olivia, Jack, and Katelyn Boyce, and the brother of Zita Lanni, and of the late

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Judge Antonio SaoBento Jr., and the late William SanBento; and 

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     WHEREAS, In addition to maintaining a flourishing private law practice as an attorney

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in East Providence for more than 50 years, Gus was a former member of the Rhode Island

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General Assembly, serving the people of the City of East Providence in the House of

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Representatives from 1957 until 1965.  A genuinely good man, Gus was dedicated to his

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constituency and committed to the betterment of his community; and  

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     WHEREAS, Gus had a natural feel for politics and an instinctive command of

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governance.  In 1966, he was appointed to the Legislative Council Office serving the General

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Assembly, and in 1974, was promoted to Assistant Director of Legislative Research.  In 1977, he

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was named Legal Council for Speaker Manning, later serving in the same capacity under Speaker

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Smith until his retirement in 1986; and

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     WHEREAS, Gus had also been active in the state as a member of the Disabled American

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Veteran’s Association, the East Providence Democratic Town Committee, East Providence

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Council, Knights of Columbus, the American, Federal, and Rhode Island Bar Associations,

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Chairman of the Third Representative District Committee, and a Delegate to the 1955

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Constitutional Convention; and

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     WHEREAS, A resident of Touisset Point in Warren for twenty-five years, Gus also

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maintained a residence in Pompano Beach, Florida, for twenty-five years.  He served as the

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former president of the Touisset Point Community Club and was responsible for creating the

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Touisset Point Water Trust; and

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     WHEREAS, Living his life to the fullest, with good humor and passion, Gus enjoyed

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being on the water, and would often be found fishing on his boat, the RAMBOA, in his early

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years.  He was an avid golfer, and a member of both the Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln and

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the Montaup Country Club in Portsmouth; and

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     WHEREAS, With the passing of Gus SaoBento, Rhode Island has lost one of her finest

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citizens and a true gentleman.  He left an indelible mark on the lives of those he touched and

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although his death has left a tremendous void in his community, Mr. SaoBento’s memory will

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live forever in the minds and hearts of his family and friends, and the many citizens who knew

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and loved him; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby offers our sincere condolences on the passing of The Honorable

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Augusto W. SaoBento.  We furthermore extend true appreciation for his enduring legacy of

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service and loyalty that will forever continue to be a source of deep pride and honor for his

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family, as well as former colleagues and his many friends; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Carmela SaoBento.

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LC00533

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