2019 -- S 0629

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LC002189

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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

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JOHN MANUEL FERREIRA

     Introduced By: Senators Pearson, and Crowley

     Date Introduced: March 14, 2019

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, Mr. John Manuel Ferreira of Cumberland, passed away on March 7, 2019,

surrounded by his devoted family. He was the loving husband of Elaine Ferreira for more than

fifty-three years; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Ferreira was born on October 18, 1945, in Esmolfe, Portugal, the son of

the late Maria do Carmo and Francisco Ferreira. He immigrated to the United States in 1953 with

his mother and sister Christine, and as the oldest of fourteen children, was seen as the patriarch of

the family; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Ferreira was a graduate of Cumberland High School and Johnson &

Wales University. He served our nation with distinction and honor in the United States Army as

an MP in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He had a distinguished professional career working

primarily as a Senior Systems Analyst for Texas Instruments, the State of Rhode Island, Allied

Signal (Fram), and State Street Bank; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Ferreira was devoted to his faith and serving the Lord. He was a

lifelong member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, where he volunteered many hours in service to

his church and the wider community. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society, the

Knights of Columbus, and the Clube Juventude Lusitania for more than fifty years; and

     WHEREAS, In his free time, Mr. Ferreira most enjoyed the simpler things in life, like

spending time with family and friends, especially celebrating Sunday dinners and continuing the

annual tradition of pepper stuffing. John also enjoyed fishing, gardening and helping others. He

was widely known and admired for his ability and willingness to “fix anything for anybody at any

time.” He was also an ardent card player and loved playing pinochle on Friday nights with his

friends at the Lusitania Club; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Ferreira leaves behind his son, David and his wife, Cheryl, and his

daughter, Christine Skawinski and her husband, John. He also leaves behind his grandchildren,

Lauren Ferreira, Nathan Skawinski, Andrea Skawinski, Jeffrey Ferreira, and Angela Ferreira. He

is survived by his siblings, Christine Duarte, Cezar Ferreira and his wife, Mary, Joe Ferreira and

his wife, Reeni, George Ferreira, Rosemary Boisclair and her husband, Tom, Tony Ferreira and

his wife, Mary, Jack Ferreira and his wife, Jackie, Elizabeth Shields, Ricky Ferreira, Violet Nunes

and her husband, Victor, Rachel Ferreira, Laura Ferreira, and Suzanne Ferreira. He also leaves

behind many friends, including his lifelong friend of more than sixty years, Aurelio Santos, and

his wife, Marie; now, therefore be it

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

hereby expresses its condolences on the passing of Mr. John Manuel Ferreira; 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 David Ferreira and Christine Skawinski.

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LC002189

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