2024 -- S 3013

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LC006038

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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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 THE HONORABLE FRANCIS R.

STETKIEWICZ

     

     Introduced By: Senators Pearson, Picard, Felag, Lauria, Bissaillon, LaMountain, F.
Lombardi, Ciccone, Ujifusa, and Bell

     Date Introduced: April 30, 2024

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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

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Honorable Francis R. Stetkiewicz, former Mayor of the Town of Cumberland, and the beloved

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husband of Paula Stetkiewicz for 66 years; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Stetkiewicz was the son of Helen and Joseph Stetkiewicz. He was

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raised in a tenement house on Cowden Street in Central Falls, a child of the Great Depression.

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Like most youngsters who grew up during those trying times, Mr. Stetkiewicz worked multiple

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jobs to help support his family. This experience instilled Mr. Stetkiewicz with a strong work ethic

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that stayed with him throughout his life; and

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     WHEREAS, After graduating from St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, Mr. Stetkiewicz

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joined the United States Coast Guard, where he served with distinction as a radioman on PBY

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flying boat flights and B-17 flights, performing search and rescue missions, delivering supplies

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and tracking icebergs in the North Atlantic; and

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     WHEREAS, After completing his military obligations, Mr. Stetkiewicz returned home

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and attended Providence College with help from the G.I. Bill, and by working nights and

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weekends. He graduated from Providence College in 1958 with a degree in political science; and

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     WHEREAS, Upon graduating from college, Mr. Stetkiewicz began his professional

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career in financial services working for Dun & Broadstreet. At the same time, he continued

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serving the public. He and a group of fellow citizens established the Cumberland-Lincoln Boys

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Club, (now the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Rhode Island) in 1961, where he served as Club

 

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President in the early 1970s. In addition, he supported youth sports throughout his life; and

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     WHEREAS, In 1976, Mr. Stetkiewicz began his distinguished political career when he

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ran for and won a seat on the Cumberland Town Council. Two years later, he won a special

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election to serve as the Cumberland Town Administrator, a precursor to today’s Office of Mayor.

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He served as the Town of Cumberland’s Town Administrator and later as Mayor for more than

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twenty consecutive years, holding the honor of being the Town of Cumberland’s last Town

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Administrator and first Mayor; and

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     WHEREAS, As Mayor, Mr. Stetkiewicz was known for his tireless work ethic and

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abiding integrity. He fought to keep property taxes low, launched one of the nation’s first

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recycling programs, and helped to establish the Sri Chimnoy Peace Bridge on Broad Street which

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symbolically connected his two hometowns; and

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     WHEREAS, After retiring from elected office, Mr. Stetkiewicz worked for ten years for

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the Central Falls City Housing Authority and later served as the Chairman of the committee that

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started the process of unifying Cumberland’s fire districts; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Paula, Mr. Stetkiewicz leaves behind his children,

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Michael, Mark, Raymond, Christian and Ellen, as well as his eight grandchildren. He also leaves

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behind his sister, Helen Mojkowski. He was preceded in passing by his brothers, Joseph Stett,

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John Stetkiewicz and Robert Stevens; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest

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condolences on the passing of the Honorable Francis R. Stetkiewicz; and be it further

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Paula Stetkiewicz and Family.

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LC006038

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