2021 -- H 5169

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LC000552

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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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 THE HONORABLE WILLIAM A.

CASTRO

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Henries, Amore,
Filippi, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: January 26, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

Honorable William A. Castro, a well-respected former Rhode Island State Senator, and the

beloved husband of the late Lois Ambrosino, devoted father of Kimberly DeCosta and her

husband, David, and the very proud grandfather of Nicholas William and Camille Lucia; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Taunton, Massachusetts, Mr. Castro was a son of the late Manuel

and Rose Castro, and the brother of Barbara Martin, and the late Thomas, Robert, and George

Castro. He grew up in the Fox Point section of Providence where he attended the Cleary School,

and was a graduate of St. Raphael Academy: and

     WHEREAS, Subsequent to moving to the City of East Providence, Mr. Castro began

what would become a life-long devotion to public service. In November of 1966, he was elected

to the Rhode Island Senate representing constituents in District 42. Well-respected by his fellow

Senators, he was elected by unanimous consent to serve as President Pro Tempore from 1979-

1982, at which time he retired; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his tenure in the Senate, the Honorable Bill Castro was

employed as manager for the traffic development division of Bonanza Bus Lines, and was the

director of sales for the former Providence Reds Hockey Club; and

     WHEREAS, Upon leaving the State Senate, the Honorable Bill Castro was appointed as

the Administrator of the Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Court by Governor J. Joseph

Garrahy, a position he held until 1990. He was also devoted to his faith and was a long-time

parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Church, where he served as a Trustee and a member of the

Finance Committee, and as the General Chairman of the Catholic Charity Fund Appeal; and

     WHEREAS, Always proud of his Portuguese heritage, Mr. Castro was awarded the

medal of solidarity and Commodore of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator by the President

of the Republic of Portugal. He was also actively involved in a panoply of altruistic community

organizations including the Holy Ghost Beneficial Brotherhood, Prince Henry Club and Amigos

da Cavaqueira. He was an avid baseball fan and had served as the former Assistant District

Administrator for Little League Baseball Inc., as well as past President of the East Providence

Central Little League; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Bill Castro consistently demonstrated an abiding dedication

to serving the best interests of his community and our State and he will be dearly missed by all

who had the good fortune to be part of his extraordinary life; now, therefore be it

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

offers its sincere condolences on the passing of the Honorable William A. Castro; 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 Kimberly DeCosta and Family.

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