2026 -- H 7062

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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

EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JOSEPHINE B.

FINNEGAN

     Introduced By: Representatives Fogarty, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Hull,
Tanzi, Kazarian, Azzinaro, Spears, and McEntee

     Date Introduced: January 13, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Josephine B.

Finnegan, the devoted wife of the late Terrence Finnegan II, PFC, and the cherished mother of

Rosemary Finnegan, Kevin Finnegan, and the late Bruce Finnegan and Terrence Finnegan III;

and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Finnegan was born in Maine, a daughter of the late Joseph and Louise

Mantoosh, and the sister of Steven Wiatrowski, and the late Louise Lee, Leona Vilandrie, Laura

Midgley, Wanda Miller, Elaine McCarthy, Joseph Wasiuk, Stanley Mantoosh and Johny Wasiuk.

As a young girl, she and her family moved to the City of Providence, where she attended Oliver

Hazard Perry High School; and

     WHEREAS, With a loving personality, Mrs. Finnegan, lovingly known as “Granny

Josie” created a home that was warm and welcoming. She doted on her family and loved sharing

stories, and cooking her famous homemade pancakes, golumpkis and other Polish dishes, along

with her beloved blueberry or fruit pies, particularly for her grandchildren, Lynne Finnegan and

Aaron Finnegan, and her great-granddaughter, Keia DePina McKinney; and

     WHEREAS, The Finnegans had raised their family in Providence and spent many

wonderful summers at Roy Carpenter's Beach, eventually moving permanently to East Matunuck.

She possessed a tremendous work ethic, and had been blessed with remarkable health and energy,

living until the age of 104, and still working a few mornings a week at the Ocean Mist until a few

months before her passing; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout her life, Mrs. Finnegan had loved live music. She particularly

enjoyed late nights at the Ocean Mist where she was quite proudly honored with a "reserved" seat

to listen to the bands, and chat with locals and visitors to the seaside venue. A delightful

storyteller at heart, she would often say, "Oh, I could write a book with all the things I've seen";

and

     WHEREAS, Josie Finnegan was a talented artist, an avid gardener, an accomplished

seamstress, and a skilled furniture remodeler who possessed a sharp wit, humor, and a vibrant

spirit that will forever be remembered and missed by all who had shared her remarkable life;

now, therefore be

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

extends deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Josephine B. Finnegan; 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 Rosemary Finnegan and Family, and Kevin

Finnegan and Family.

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