2019 -- S 0106

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING MICHAEL TRAFICANTE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, Gallo, Miller, Lombardi, and Ciccone

     Date Introduced: January 24, 2019

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, Michael Traficante was born in the City of Providence eight decades ago on

February 5th of 1939. Affectionately known as "Traf", he is the son of the late Charles and Elise

Traficante, and the brother of the late Charles and Charlotte Traficante; and

     WHEREAS, Mike is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where he was a

member of the Varsity Football Team for four years. He served our country with honor in the

United States Army 3rd Infantry Division in Korea, where he began his coaching career leading

his Division's football team; and

     WHEREAS, Mike met and married Ann Marie Lembo, and together they raised their

daughter, Michele, who married Charles Abell, and blessed Mike with two grandchildren, Patrick

and Caitlin; and

     WHEREAS, For more than forty years, Mike Traficante served the people of Rhode

Island in myriad capacities. From mathematics teacher to Assistant Principal at Cranston High

School East, and as President of the Cranston City Council to Mayor of Cranston for fourteen

years, Mike left a legacy of boundless service to the citizenry of Cranston that includes holding

the record as the longest serving Mayor in the City; and

     WHEREAS, Mike also left his mark on generations of young people through his years as

a coach. He was assistant and head coach for the Cranston East Football Team and also served as

the assistant and later the head coach of the school's wrestling team. Years later, he also coached

the Bishop Hendricken High School Hawks Wrestling Team. Throughout his tenure as a coach,

Mike led his teams to numerous state titles and fully earned his membership into the Cranston

Athletic and the City of Cranston Hall of Fame, as well as the Rhode Island Wrestling Coaches

Hall of Fame; and

     WHEREAS, Mike is beloved by his family, adored by his friends, and a champion and

hero to the young people he has coached. He is a true gentleman who has impacted the lives of so

many people with his spirit and exuberance for life, and all who have been lucky enough to be a

part of his extraordinary life, are honored to join him in this special celebration; now, therefore be

it

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

hereby joins the family and many friends of Michael Traficante in honoring him on the very

splendid occasion of his 80th Birthday. We wish him and all the members of his family the very

best health and happiness; 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 Mr. Michael Traficante.

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