| R 190 |
| 2026 -- S 3124 Enacted 03/19/2026 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE LATE SENATE PRESIDENT DOMINICK J. RUGGERIO AND COMMEMORATING THE NAMING OF THE RHODE ISLAND SENATE CHAMBER IN HIS HONOR |
Introduced By: Senators Lawson, Ciccone, Tikoian, Gallo, Bissaillon, Sosnowski, Murray, DiPalma, LaMountain, and Burke |
| Date Introduced: March 19, 2026 |
| WHEREAS, The Honorable Dominick J. Ruggerio, affectionately known to many as |
| “Donny,” devoted more than four decades of his life to public service in the State of Rhode Island |
| and leaves behind a legacy of leadership, dedication, and commitment to the people he served; |
| and |
| WHEREAS, Born and raised in North Providence, he was the son of Mario “Charlie” |
| Ruggerio and Dorothy (Prush) Ruggerio, and from an early age embraced the values of hard |
| work, loyalty, and community; and |
| WHEREAS, A graduate of La Salle Academy and Providence College, he began his |
| career as an aide to Lieutenant Governor Thomas DiLuglio, later working for the Rhode Island |
| Public Transit Authority before taking over his family’s restaurant, The Chalet, in North |
| Providence. Donny soon returned to his labor roots, joining the Laborers’ International Union 271 |
| as a Field Representative and Organizer, eventually becoming Administrator of the New England |
| Laborers’ Labor-Management Cooperation Trust; and |
| WHEREAS, His career in public service began in the Rhode Island House of |
| Representatives in 1980, and in 1984 he was elected to the Rhode Island Senate representing |
| District 4, beginning a forty-year tenure during which he became the longest-serving member of |
| the Senate and earned the affectionate title of “Dean” of the Senate; and |
| WHEREAS, During his distinguished legislative career, he served as vice chairman of |
| the Senate Labor Committee, Senate Majority Whip, Deputy Majority Leader, Majority Leader, |
| and in 2017 was elected by his colleagues to serve as President of the Senate; and |
| WHEREAS, As Senate President, he led with an open-door policy and a deep respect for |
| the institution, working tirelessly on behalf of working families, supporting economic |
| development, advancing educational opportunity, protecting employee pensions, raising the |
| state’s minimum wage, and promoting environmental stewardship and animal welfare; and |
| WHEREAS, Donny was caring and generous beyond measure, and was widely respected |
| for his steady leadership, institutional knowledge, willingness to listen, and ability to bring people |
| together through public service. A true statesman, he listened to every point of view and |
| respected every individual, regardless of whether they held a differing viewpoint. He worked |
| consistently to find common ground among his peers, even on the most challenging and |
| contentious issues. As a valued mentor to countless colleagues, and a consistent champion for his |
| constituents, he set an example for all public servants; and |
| WHEREAS, In his personal life, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who |
| cherished spending time with his family, including his children, Charles Ruggerio and his wife, |
| Jillian, and Amanda Fallon and her husband, PJ; his four beloved grandchildren, Ava Ruggerio, |
| Mia Ruggerio, Natalie Fallon, and Jameson Fallon; his sister and his best friend, Lisa Aceto, and |
| her husband, James; and his nieces and nephew, Christine DeSimone, Justine Mello, and Anthony |
| Aceto. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother Charles “Chucky” Ruggerio; and |
| WHEREAS, Donny deeply treasured time spent gathered with family for home-cooked |
| meals on Sundays and holidays, and he enjoyed annual trips to the Saratoga Race Course and |
| beating odds makers of all types; and |
| WHEREAS, His passing marks the loss of a dedicated public servant, a trusted colleague, |
| and a friend to many within this Chamber and across the state; and |
| WHEREAS, In recognition of his extraordinary service and enduring impact upon the |
| Rhode Island Senate, the Senate Chamber shall be named in his honor as a lasting tribute to his |
| leadership and devotion to the people of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby honors the life, |
| service, and memory of the late Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the members of the Senate express their deepest sympathy to his |
| family and loved ones; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the naming of the Rhode Island Senate Chamber in his honor shall |
| serve as a permanent tribute to a man whose life was defined by public service, leadership, and |
| commitment to the State of Rhode Island; 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 his family. |
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| LC005976 |
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