2022 -- H 7978

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LC005519

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF LEON M. KAYARIAN

     Introduced By: Representatives Fenton-Fung, Cardillo, Potter, C Lima, Handy,
McNamara, Slater, Diaz, Shekarchi, and Blazejewski

     Date Introduced: March 15, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Leon M.

Kayarian, the husband of the late Joyce Mowry, and Joan Kelly Kayarian. He was the father of

Donna Leigh Kayarian-Chiacchia and her husband, Thomas, Jason Kayarian, Jill Kayarian Shina

and her husband, Dr. Rani Shina, and the late Dayton John Kayarian. He was also the very proud

grandfather of Karson and Noah Kayarian, and Hannah and Emma Shina; and

     WHEREAS, Born in the City of Woonsocket, Mr. Kayarian was a son of the late Harry

and Mary Kayarian, and the brother of the late Norman Kayarian. In addition to his immediate

family, he is survived by his beloved caregivers and friends, Russell Gelfuso and Ivonne Aleman

who cooked for him each night, helped clean his home on Sundays, and shared his love of

automobiles; and

     WHEREAS, A charismatic and brilliant businessman, Mr. Kayarian began his career as a

salesman and grew to become a renowned Rhode Island entrepreneur and owner of numerous

businesses over a career that spanned more than seventy years, most notably the Dayton Tire

Warehouse with twenty-five stores along the East Coast; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Kayarian was a true original who enjoyed lunching at Twin Oaks, the

Old Canteen, and other local favorites, developed programs that were emulated by Fortune 100

companies, had an unrivaled passion for car-collecting and a license to fly a plane, and even ran

for Governor in 2014; and

     WHEREAS, The most fitting tribute to the extraordinary life of Leon Kayarian is a

celebration of a life well and fully lived. He will be dearly missed and most assuredly

remembered; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

extends deepest condolences on the passing of Leon M. Kayarian; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Joan Kelly Kayarian, Donna Leigh

Kayarian-Chiacchia and Family, Jason Kayarian, and Jill Kayarian Shina and Family.

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LC005519

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