2020 -- S 2933 | |
======== | |
LC005657 | |
======== | |
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020 | |
____________ | |
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N | |
EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF ERNEST P. BAPTISTA, | |
JR. | |
| |
Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Goodwin, and Pearson | |
Date Introduced: December 17, 2020 | |
Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar | |
1 | WHEREAS, Mr. Ernest P. Baptista, Jr., 70, of Cranston, passed away unexpectedly at |
2 | home on Saturday, December 5, 2020. Ernie was the son of the late Ernest & Carmela Baptista, |
3 | formerly of North Providence. He is survived by his loving family including his wife, Sharon |
4 | Baptista (Williams), his daughter, Jennifer A. Baptista of Warwick, his son, Peter A. Baptista and |
5 | his fiancée, Carra Beth Constantine of Cranston, his brother, Raymond Baptista and his partner, |
6 | Danielle Amicarelli of North Providence, and many extended family and close friends; and |
7 | WHEREAS, Ernie was a proud graduate of La Salle Academy’s Class of 1968 and |
8 | remained involved with the school for more than 50 years. A member of the La Salle Hall of |
9 | Fame and Chair of the Board of Regents, Ernie credited his education there as shaping his entire |
10 | life. His passion for La Salle Academy knew no bounds; and |
11 | WHEREAS, After earning a BS degree in Business Administration from Boston |
12 | University in 1973, Ernie began his career modestly as a life insurance agent. Soon after, in 1978, |
13 | he became a partner with Worrell, Passananti & Radoccia. Ernie was a master at his craft using |
14 | life insurance in his client’s financial plan. He provided high level guidance to his clients with |
15 | custom designs for their personal and corporate strategies. Ernie co-founded Financial Architects, |
16 | Inc., and later formed Gencorp Insurance & Financial Services with his good friend and business |
17 | partner Robert G. Padula. He was a proud Member Firm and Principal of M Financial Group for |
18 | over 40 years; and |
19 | WHEREAS, Ernie’s effusive spirit, his kindness, and his keen intellect were present in |
| |
1 | every aspect of his life from home to work to his hobbies, like politics. Ernie was humble and |
2 | quiet in the rooms he frequented, yet when he spoke, his incredible wealth of knowledge and |
3 | insightful perspectives were soaked up by all who were present; and |
4 | WHEREAS, Ernie was an original thinker, thorough researcher, and master strategist in |
5 | all he did, but using these skills to craft political theories and strategies was his true passion. |
6 | Ernie never ran for office himself as he was most comfortable in the background, but he was |
7 | much sought after for his opinions. He was truly “in the know” on all aspects of the political |
8 | scene; and |
9 | WHEREAS, A life-long Democrat, Ernie was a supporter of local, state and national |
10 | candidates and he most enjoyed serving as an advisor, confidante, and sounding board to |
11 | politicians near and far. Closer to home, Ernie was a high school classmate and friend of United |
12 | States Senator Jack Reed, and had served as the campaign treasurer for United States Senator |
13 | Sheldon Whitehouse. Both men were among Ernie’s closest friends and he treasured their |
14 | relationships; and |
15 | WHEREAS, Ernie also created his own so-called political kitchen cabinet through |
16 | regular lunches and daily phone calls with his dearest friends: Ed McElroy, Joe Walsh, Don |
17 | Sweitzer, Joe Shekarchi, Joe Paolino, and the late Mark Weiner; and |
18 | WHEREAS, Ernie was also committed to his broader community. In addition to serving |
19 | La Salle Academy and serving on the Rhode Island Housing Resources Commission, Ernie made |
20 | it a priority to help those in need -- often and quietly. He also had time for everyone and “yes” |
21 | was his favorite answer; and |
22 | WHEREAS, Ernie loved to travel the world and his passport was full of stamps and just |
23 | as many stories. He habitually never unpacked his suitcase, just in case the next trip was to pop |
24 | up. On this trip to his final destination, his family is thrilled he’ll finally be able to unpack that |
25 | suitcase; and |
26 | WHEREAS, Ernie Baptista’s service to our state, his love for his family and community, |
27 | and his immense generosity of spirit will be long-remembered by his loving family, countless |
28 | friends, and the many people he lent a helping hand in times of need; now, therefore be it |
29 | RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest |
30 | condolences to the Baptista Family on the passing of Ernest P. Baptista, Jr.; and be it further |
| LC005657 - Page 2 of 3 |
1 | RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
2 | transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Sharon Baptista and Family. |
======== | |
LC005657 | |
======== | |
| LC005657 - Page 3 of 3 |