2022 -- H 7999

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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

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE TRAGIC PASSING OF MATTHEW M.

DENNISON

     Introduced By: Representatives Serpa, Noret, P Morgan, Blazejewski, Filippi, Kennedy,
Fogarty, Ackerman, Fellela, and Cortvriend

     Date Introduced: March 17, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, On February 12th, 2022, Matthew M. Dennison, age seventeen of West

Warwick, was injured by the senseless act of a drunk driver. After a month courageously battling

his injuries, Matthew passed away on March 10, 2022. He was born in Woonsocket, the son of

Mark and Brenda Dennison, and the loving brother of Kaitlyn Dennison; and

     WHEREAS, Matthew was an active youngster who loved spending time with his family

at his favorite place, Lake Memphremagog in Newport, Vermont, and playing sports year round,

be it skiing, water sports with his cousins, or playing pond hockey. He also never missed a Boston

Bruins hockey game and would celebrate every Bruins goal with a special handshake; and

     WHEREAS, Matthew had a passion for the game of ice hockey. He learned to skate at

the age of four and immediately took up the game. His love of the game was complete and for

him, there was never an off-season. He served as the Senior Captain of the West Warwick-

Exeter-West Greenwich Co-Op Team and his sterling leadership and outstanding play helped lead

them to a State Championship in 2020. Most recently, an ice hockey game between East

Greenwich and Hendricken, at Schneider arena, began with a moment of silence in honor of

Matthew; and

     WHEREAS, Matthew was a gifted leader and a special person both on and off the ice. He

surrounded himself with great friends, whom he treasured, and he considered them his brothers.

He was always available to help a loved one, a friend, a neighbor or anyone in need of a helping

hand; and

     WHEREAS, Matthew Dennison was simply a fun person to be around. He made people

laugh with his quick wit and sarcastic sense of humor, and he loved entertaining others with fun

pranks; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his parents, Mark and Brenda, and his sister, Kaitlyn,

Matthew leaves behind his paternal grandfather, Harry Dennison and his wife, Irene, paternal

grandmother, Muriel Dennison, and his maternal grandfather, Michael Pappagallo, Jr. He also

leaves behind several aunts, uncles and cousins, and was predeceased by his grandmother

Rosemary Pappagallo; now, therefore be it

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

expresses its deepest condolences to the Dennison Family on the passing of Matthew Dennison;

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 Mark and Brenda Dennison and Family.

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