2014 -- S 2737

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LC004891

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING SINCERE CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF LEO F. DIMAIO, JR.

     Introduced By: Senators Lombardi, Jabour, Metts, Pichardo, and Paiva Weed

     Date Introduced: March 06, 2014

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with utmost sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Leo

F. DiMaio, Jr., a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, the well-respected Director Emeritus

of the Talent Development Program at the University of Rhode Island, and a dedicated advocate

for education and expanding educational opportunities for minority and disadvantaged students;

and

     WHEREAS, Leo DiMaio was born in Providence, a son of the late Leo and Mary

DiMaio and brother of the late Anthony DiMaio. He was a graduate of La Salle Academy, and

later attended Massanutten Military Academy. He continued his education graduating from

Providence College in 1952, and earning his Master's degree in Education from the University of

Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, For the past fifty-eight years, Mr. Dimaio was the devoted husband of Ilene

DiMaio. He was the loving father of Leo III, and his wife, Jamie, and daughter Mary Ellen, and

was the proud and doting grandfather of three grandchildren, Stephanie, Angelica, and Leo

Angelo. In addition, Mr. DiMaio is survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, grandnieces,

and grandnephews; and

     WHEREAS, As the first Director of Education and Recreation at the Adult Correctional

Institution in Cranston, Mr. DiMaio was instrumental in initiating a GED program for inmates at

the institution. He had also founded the first half-way house for ex-felons in the state; and

     WHEREAS, For more than thirty years, Mr. DiMaio was employed at the University of

Rhode Island and was instrumental in helping to bring diversity to the institution. Highly

regarded by his peers, he had been honored with the URI Administrative Excellence Award, the

URI Presidential Award, the URI Multicultural Center Lifetime Achievement Award, and

induction into the URI Athletic Hall of Fame; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. DiMaio has also been honored with the DaVinci Center Person of the

Year Award, the Robinson-Kizirian Award, the City of Providence Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of

Fame Award, and was past President and won its "Man of the Year" award of the YMCA

Providence Businessmen's Association. In addition, he was a LaSalle Academy Hall of Fame

inductee and had been honored with the creation of the DiMaio Scholars Program in his name. He

was also the first head basketball coach at the Zuccolo Recreation Center in Providence and was

honored with the dedication of the Leo DiMaio "Hall of Champions"; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. DiMaio sought opportunities to further advance the community he

loved and the people who were in real need of his help. Along with the late Reverend Arthur L.

Hardge, Mr. DiMaio had co-founded Special Programs for Talent Development at the University

of Rhode Island which helped generations of students with scholarships and academic support;

and

     WHEREAS, Leo DiMaio was blessed with the unconditional love of his wife, children

and grandchildren and he returned their love in full measure. He was a generous and caring

gentleman who left Rhode Island a far better place because of his life’s endeavors and he will be

always missed and dearly remembered; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby expresses our deepest sympathies on the passing of Leo F. DiMaio, Jr.; 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. Ilene DiMaio and Family.

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LC004891

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