2020 -- H 8107

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF MARIO CASINELLI, JR.,

RPH.

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, Shekarchi, Jacquard, McNamara, and Handy

     Date Introduced: July 16, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with utmost sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Mario

Casinelli, Jr., the beloved husband of Veronica Casinelli, the cherished father of Brigadier

General (RET) Paul Casinelli and his wife, Susan, and Karen Pasquazzi and her husband, David,

and the very proud grandfather of Marc Pasquazzi and his wife, Catharina, 1LT (RET) Adam

Casinelli, CPT Domenic Casinelli, and Liesl Casinelli; and

     WHEREAS, Born in the City of Providence, Mr. Casinelli was a son of the late Mario

and Marie Casinelli, Sr. and the dear brother of Loretta Paesano, and the late Joseph and Frank

Casinelli; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Casinelli served our nation with honor in the United States Army during

WWII. Upon returning from service, he attended the Rhode Island College of Pharmacy and

Allied Sciences utilizing the GI Bill, and subsequently became co-owner of Oaklawn Pharmacy

in Cranston. After selling the pharmacy, he became CVS's representative at the Cranston Senior

Center, where he helped to educate its patrons on the proper use of their medicines, diabetes

control, and blood pressure control; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Casinelli was devoted to numerous professional organizations and

programs as an advocate, mentor, and teacher. He spent many hours educating the community on

myriad health topics, and mentoring dozens of pharmacy students and Pharmacists on the role of

a community pharmacist. He retired at the age of 90; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Casinelli was also active in his church, Immaculate Conception in

Cranston, and was a member of numerous boards and philanthropic organizations including

serving as President of the RI Pharmaceutical Association, Chief of the Board of Pharmacy, and

was the first New Englander to serve on Pfizer's Board of Consulting Pharmacists, to name but a

few; and

     WHEREAS, Highly respected within the community and his profession, Mr. Casinelli

earned the moniker of "Father of Pharmacy," and had been honored with a panoply of awards

including being named "Man of the Year" by the RI Pharmaceutical Association and the

Women's Youth League of RI, as well as receiving the Daniel B. Smith Award (National Man of

the Year). He had also been honored with the A.H. Robbins Bowl of Hygeia Award, the RI

Pharmaceutical Association Outstanding Service Award, The National Association Board Of

Pharmacy Honorary Chairman Award, the URI Distinguished Achievement Award College of

Pharmacy, and was the first-ever recipient of the RI Pharmacists Association Lifetime

Achievement Award; and

     WHEREAS, While truly dedicated to his profession, Mario Casinelli was most content

and fulfilled by the time he spent with his family. He was a devoted husband and father, and a

consummate gentleman who helped many people lead healthier lives, and he will be dearly

missed; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

extends its deepest sympathy on the passing of Mario Casinelli, 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. Veronica Casinelli and Family.

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