2012 -- S 2779

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LC02152

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF RALPH RAFAELIAN

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Lanzi, Miller, Pichardo, and Walaska

     Date Introduced: March 13, 2012

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the passing of Ralph

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Rafaelian, a man who was deeply devoted to his family and friends. Our thoughts and hearts hold

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great empathy and sorrow for his loved ones. We grieve with his wife, Lucy, and his children and

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grandchildren on their tremendous loss; and

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     WHEREAS, Ralph was born in 1935, in Providence, Rhode Island, to his proud parents

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Melkon and Mariam Rafaelian, and grew up a first generation American and a proud member of

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the state’s Armenian-American community; and

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     WHEREAS, After finishing high school, Ralph was drafted and served his country on a

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naval destroyer escort for two years. When he returned home, he worked as an assistant trainee at

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a McLellan five and dime store. Positive that he could do much more, Ralph left and went to

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work for his brother-in-law in the state’s booming jewelry business; and

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     WHEREAS, In 1965, Ralph opened his own business, Cinerama Jewelry, on Empire

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Street in Providence. There, he made flag pins, as well as red, white, and blue earrings to match,

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soldered them and had them plated and shipped directly to fundraising organizations. His concept

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caught on almost immediately. He started selling the patriotic jewelry to organizations like the

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Veterans of Foreign Wars. Ralph took pride in employing a rapidly expanding number of workers

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and instilling a love of jewelry-making in his own family; and

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     WHEREAS, The jewelry company Alex and Ani was born from Cinerama Jewelry’s

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efforts, experiences, and philosophy, and would continue Ralph’s legacy of excellence and

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commitment to giving back to the community; and

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     WHEREAS, Even though we are diminished by this loss and mourn Ralph’s passing, so

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must we celebrate the spirit, generosity, and courage with which he lived every day of his life. He

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taught his children, by example, that hard work is a virtue, that generosity is strength, and that

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dedication not to self-interest, but rather to the best interests of others, is the wisest of life

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choices; and

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     WHEREAS, A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Ralph Rafaelian’s life and

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achievements will live on for many years to come in the memories of everyone fortunate enough

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to have been touched by the quality of this remarkable gentleman; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby expresses our deepest sympathy to the entire Rafaelian family on the passing of Ralph

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Rafaelian. He enriched the lives of all who knew him and will be dearly missed; 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 duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rafaelian family.

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LC02152

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