2021 -- H 6115

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LC002341

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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

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF FRANK LATORRE

     Introduced By: Representatives Blazejewski, Filippi, Ajello, Hull, Williams, Batista,
Biah, Amore, Diaz, and Slater

     Date Introduced: March 09, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

LaTorre, the former Director of the Providence Downtown Improvement District and a beloved

fixture within the city who worked tirelessly to make downtown Providence a vibrant place where

creative people could thrive and their businesses excel; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. LaTorre graduated from Boston College in 1971 with a bachelor's

degree in economics and political science. In his formative college years, he became interested in

vegetarian lifestyles while taking a trip with a group of friends driving from the Berkshires to

California on an old school bus. He would later own the City of Portland, Maine's first ever

vegetarian restaurant. His lifelong love for music expressed itself in college when he attended the

Woodstock Music and Art Festival in August of 1969. He would be well-known later for his large

collection of music cd's, his love of Bob Marley, and buying a Rhode Island license plate that

read "WE JAMN"; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. LaTorre, in his years living in Portland, Maine, also served for two

decades as the Director of the city's Public Assembly Facilities Division, where he provided

oversight and management of the 1,900-seat performing arts center Merrill Auditorium, as well as

an exposition center and a baseball and football stadium; and

     WHEREAS, In 2005, then-Providence Mayor David Cicilline appointed Mr. LaTorre to

the Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force, whose focus was to raise public awareness about the

problems created by underage drinking. It was also at this time that Mr. LaTorre began his

important work with the Providence Downtown Improvement District. Additionally, he worked

on other important issues such as parks conservancy, hospitality and safe communities.

Congressman Cicilline said of Mr. LaTorre, "I was proud to work with him throughout my time

as Mayor to strengthen Downtown Providence and improve the quality of life for the residents of

our Capital City"; and

     WHEREAS, The love Mr. LaTorre had for Downtown Providence was limitless. Former

Mayor Joseph Paolino said that for Mr. LaTorre, "Downtown Providence was his extended

family." He was tireless in his willingness to promote and serve the City, from dressing up as

Santa at a one-day Christmas event when the person supposed to be "Santa" never showed up, to

attending through the years all of the important art, culture and tourism events held in Providence,

from attending PVDFest, the music series at Burnside Park, WaterFire, and countless tree

lightings. He walked the streets of Downtown Providence all the time and it seemed as if

everyone knew him. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza had high praise for Mr. Frank LaTorre,

describing him as a "long-time Downtown champion" and a "tireless advocate for the nighttime

economy"; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. LaTorre leaves behind his children Christine LaTorre, Caroline LaTorre

and Gregory LaTorre. He also leaves behind his former wife and best friend Susan LaTorre; now,

therefore be it

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

expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. Frank LaTorre, and expresses its deepest

gratitude for his tireless service and advocacy in support of Downtown Providence; and be it

further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Christine LaTorre of Oakhurst, New Jersey,

Caroline LaTorre of Mahopac, New York, Gregory LaTorre of Boston, Massachusetts and Susan

LaTorre of Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

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