2025 -- H 5480

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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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 DR. JOSEPH J. BOX

     Introduced By: Representatives Cruz, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Potter,
Corvese, Azzinaro, Morales, Stewart, and Voas

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House of Representatives of the State of

Rhode Island has learned of the passing of Dr. Joseph J. Box. He was the beloved husband of the

late Janice Drake Box; and

     WHEREAS, Joseph J. Box was born in Providence to Maria and Luigi Box. Mr. Box was

raised in a close-knit and loving Italian-American family on River Avenue, surrounded by fig,

pear and chestnut trees and other vegetables in their gardens. As a young boy, Mr. Box loved

spending time with his mother picking blueberries, foraging for mushrooms, and canning

tomatoes; and

     WHEREAS, Joseph Box was an industrious young boy who worked numerous jobs

growing up, starting at the tender age of six. Whether it was working at an “unauthorized”

newspaper stand in front of the Biltmore Hotel with his brother Al, to making jelly donuts in

Cranston, working for Adolf the Taylor or working as a “Bobbin Boy” at Lorraine Mills, where

he hauled, and re-tied broken threads on the looms for the women workers, there was hardly a

place in Rhode Island where Joe could not drive by and tell you an interesting story about his

youthful exploits. He also spent the summer of 1941 as a Jazz musician on Block Island; and

     WHEREAS, An admittedly indifferent student in high school, Joe’s life changed by

chance when a friend invited him to visit the dental laboratory in which he worked making dental

molds. Thus began Joe’s career in dentistry, beginning as a dental assistant. However, before Joe

could advance within his chosen career, World War II would literally explode on the horizon; and

     WHEREAS, During World War II, Joseph Box served our nation with distinction in both

the United States Navy and the United States Marines, serving as a Dental Technician. Joe

enjoyed serving in the military so much, after World War II, he joined the Rhode Island Air

National Guard, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; and

     WHEREAS, After World War II, thanks to the Veterans GI Bill, Joseph Box attained his

GED and attended Providence College, something he never imagined would be possible. Mr. Box

then proceeded to attend dental school in St. Louis, and then practice dentistry for 65 years,

where he was known and beloved for his family-friendly and kid-friendly approach to dentistry;

and

     WHEREAS, Shortly before attending dentistry school, Mr. Box met the love of his life,

the late Janice Drake, at a YWCA dance. They married shortly thereafter, and raised their four

children together in a wonderfully loving and nurturing home, and doted on their grandchildren

together until her passing; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Joseph Box was always giving back in support of his

community. He served in numerous leadership positions within the Rhode Island Air National

Guard, the City of Pawtucket, in support of numerous national dental associations, including

serving as the Chief Examiner for the National Dental Association, and in support of the Sons of

Italy civic organization. Mr. Box, later in life, also returned to dentistry, working as a mobile

dentist at several nursing homes; and

     WHEREAS, Joseph Box has received numerous awards and honors throughout his

distinguished career, including being inducted into the Pawtucket Hall of Fame, and being the

first recipient of the Rhode Island Dental Association’s eponymous Dr. Box Everyday Leadership

Award, presented annually to a person who has demonstrated the highest level of ethics and

dedication to the improvement of the art and science of dentistry; and

     WHEREAS, In his free time, Joe enjoyed travelling, especially to his beloved Italy,

listening to opera, writing and reciting poetry, and practicing yoga on a daily basis; and

     WHEREAS, Joseph J. Box leaves behind his children, David Box, and his wife, Diana,

Sharon Holtkamp, Krista Box and her husband, Matthew Riley, and Suzy Box and her husband,

Harry Adler, and his five grandchildren, Tony, Lindsay, Alex, Nick and Will, and his great-

granddaughter Stella; now, therefore be it

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

expresses its deepest condolences to the Box Family on the passing of Joseph J. Box; and be it

further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to David Box, Sharon Holtkamp, Krista Box and

Suzy Box.

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