2026 -- H 7014

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LC003118

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE JOSEPH A.

CAPINERI

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Messier, Furtado,
Kennedy, Ackerman, Fellela, Ajello, and Diaz

     Date Introduced: January 08, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

Honorable Joseph A. Capineri, a distinguished member of the Rhode Island House of

Representatives for 24 years, representing District 81 in Pawtucket, from 1957 to 1980. Mr.

Capineri was the beloved husband of the late Ethel Capineri with whom he shared sixty years of

marriage; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Joseph Capineri was born in 1929, the son of the late Angelo

and Giovanna Capineri. He was a graduate of Providence College and earned his Juris Doctor

from Boston University School of Law, where he graduated second in his class and served on the

Law Review. After graduating, Mr. Capineri started his own law firm in Pawtucket, where he

practiced successfully, skillfully and with great passion and dedication well into his eighties; and

     WHEREAS, Joseph Capineri was a longtime member of the Pawtucket Country Club

with his wife Ethel, where he made many lifelong friendships and enjoyed playing golf and

taking part in lively card games. Mr. Capineri was a member of numerous professional and social

organizations, including the American Bar Association, Rhode Island Bar Association, Pawtucket

Bar Association, Retired Legislator’s Association, Sons of Italy, Italian Dramatic Independent

Political Club, To-Kalon Club, Elks Lodge, Bear Lakes Country Club, West Palm Beach, Florida

and the Pawtucket Country Club; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Joseph Capineri is survived by his son, the Honorable

Stephen J. Capineri (Retired), Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Family Court, and his wife,

Nancy, and daughter Lisa Millar and her husband, Ronald. He is also survived by his four

grandchildren, Peter Capineri, Marissa Shallcross, her husband Derrick, Michael Capineri, his

wife, Catherine, and Kerri Zavota, and six great-grandchildren Ronan, Isla, Camden, George,

Charles and Dayvon, and his daughter, Inola. Mr. Capineri was predeceased by his grandson, 1st

Lieutenant Gregory F. Zavota; 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 the Honorable Joseph A. Capineri; 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 the Honorable Associate Justice Stephen J.

Capineri and Lisa Millar.

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LC003118

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