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

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

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

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

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

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and

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

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

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

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

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Rhode Island; and

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

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

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

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

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and grandnephews; and

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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induction into the URI Athletic Hall of Fame; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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and

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

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

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

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always missed and dearly remembered; now, therefore be it

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

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hereby expresses our deepest sympathies on the passing of Leo F. DiMaio, Jr.; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Ilene DiMaio and Family.

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LC004891

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