2025 -- H 6021

========

LC002319

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF DAVID DEPETRILLO, THE

DISTINGUISHED LONGTIME RHODE ISLAND STATE TOURISM DIRECTOR AND

CHAIRMAN OF THE RHODE ISLAND HOSPITALITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Solomon, Chippendale,
Casimiro, Casey, Kennedy, Ajello, Fellela, and Cruz

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

passing of Mr. David DePetrillo, a distinguished and beloved public servant and fixture within the

Rhode Island tourism and hospitality community for decades; and

     WHEREAS, David DePetrillo was the son of the late Frank and Fatima DePetrillo. He

was a 1968 graduate of Rhode Island College and later attained a Master's Degree in Business

Administration from the University of Connecticut. Mr. DePetrillo was a loyal and proud

alumnus who served for many years on the RIC Foundation Board; and

     WHEREAS, David DePetrillo served with distinction as the State of Rhode Island

Tourism Director for 25 years from 1983 to 2008, serving under five consecutive Governors.

Thanks to Mr. DePetrillo’s outstanding guidance and tireless work ethic, the Rhode Island

hospitality industry became a cornerstone of the Rhode Island economy, growing into one of

Rhode Island’s largest employers and revenue producers; and

     WHEREAS, Under Mr. DePetrillo’s innovative leadership, he pioneered the use of new

technologies to expand Rhode Island tourism and created one of the first tourism websites in the

nation. Thanks to Mr. DePetrillo’s efforts, Rhode Island earned a national and international

reputation for its outstanding and distinctive tourism marketing efforts. David DePetrillo was

widely admired by his peers across the nation and was universally recognized as being the Dean

of State Tourism Directors. Mr. DePetrillo is perhaps best known for the State’s famous “Biggest

Little State in the Union” campaign. He also served as the Chairman of the Rhode Island

Hospitality Education Foundation for many years, was a founding member of the Rhode Island

Geotourism Collaborative, served on the Board of Travel Industry Association, and was an

influential member and former Chairman of the National Council of State Tourism Directors; and

     WHEREAS, Director DePetrillo also supported a wide array of philanthropic

organizations and donated his time, experience, knowledge, and vast leadership skills to help

them achieve their goals. He was a member and former President of the Providence Art Club, and

most recently chaired its Entertainment Committee and enthusiastically supported and showcased

the work of talented artists. Mr. DePetrillo also served as a Flag Secretary for the Rhode Island

Commodores, a nonprofit group of civil leaders founded to promote Rhode Island as being an

excellent place in which to work, live, vacation and thrive; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Mr. DePetrillo received numerous awards and

commendations in recognition of his extraordinary work throughout his career including the

esteemed State Tourism Director of the Year Award, the Governor’s Tourism Award, and

induction into the Providence Visitors and Convention Bureau Hall of Fame. Mr. DePetrillo also

had the high honor of being named Yankee Magazine’s New England Tourism Person of the

Year; and

     WHEREAS, David DePetrillo was the beloved husband of Jean DePetrillo, and leaves

behind his siblings, Frank DePetrillo, Thomas DePetrillo and his wife, Carol Keefe, Lawrence

DePetrillo and his wife, Nancy, Carol Goulet and her husband, Stephen, Linda DePetrillo and her

husband, Mowry, Judith Stracaluzi and her husband, Donald, and Paul DePetrillo and his wife,

LuAnne. He also leaves behind many adored nieces and nephews. Mr. DePetrillo was

predeceased by his siblings, Nicholas DePetrillo, Anthony DePetrillo and Eleanor Chadronet;

now, therefore be it

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

expresses its deepest condolences to the DePetrillo Family on the passing of David DePetrillo;

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 Mrs. Jean DePetrillo and Family.

========

LC002319

========

LC002319 - Page 2 of 2