2022 -- H 7007

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LC003373

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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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 THE HONORABLE VITO

ANTHONY SARITELLI

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Corvese, Azzinaro, McNamara,
Kennedy, Fenton-Fung, O'Brien, Serpa, and Filippi

     Date Introduced: January 06, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this House of Representatives has learned of the

passing of a distinguished former colleague, the Honorable Vito Anthony Saritelli. Mr. Saritelli

was the devoted husband of Gertrude Saritelli. He was the beloved son of the late Samuel and

Antonetta Saritelli; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Saritelli was born in Providence and graduated from Central High

School, attained a college degree and served our nation with honor and distinction as a member of

the United States Army’s 43rd Infantry Division. Mr. Saritelli was a hard-working man who

worked tirelessly to provide for his family and loved ones as a Life and Casualty Insurance

Agent; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Saritelli’s greatest passion in life was his love for music. He was a

lifelong singer who performed in many opera, operetta and musical comedy productions. He also

sang with many church and choral groups, performing at times as a tenor soloist. Mr. Saritelli

took great joy and pride in singing in with his friend, Dr. C. Alexander Peloquin, who Mr.

Saritelli considered to be the best composer, organist and choral director in the 20th century

Catholic Church; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Saritelli also forged many enduring friendships during his many years

of volunteering and singing at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence. Mr. Saritelli

was also the co-founder in 1977, and later Executive Director and Music Director/Conductor, of

the Providence Civic Orchestra of Senior Citizens. Throughout his life, Mr. Saritelli gave much

of his time volunteering and performing at countless orchestral events at schools, senior living

facilities, and the Rhode Island Veterans’ Home; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Saritelli, a first generation Italian-American, was always imbued with a

deeply patriotic spirit and great appreciation for the freedom and opportunities our nation affords

all of its citizens. Mr. Saritelli also deeply believed in serving others and felt a calling to run for

public office. In 1978, Mr. Saritelli was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives,

where he served his constituents of District Five in Providence with passion and integrity from

1979 to 1984; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Saritelli was a widely admired member of the Rhode Island House of

Representatives who, in recognition of his strong leadership skills, vast knowledge and

experience, and strong work-ethic, was chosen to chair a number of Committees including the

Joint Committee on the Arts, where Mr. Saritelli became the General Assembly’s leading

advocate for the arts. Other Committees chaired by Mr. Saritelli included the Joint Legislative

Commission to study the Auto Repair Industry in Rhode Island and Other States, the Joint

Legislative Commission to study Juvenile Diversionary, Community Service and Restitution

Programs, and the Rhode Island Arts and Tourism Commission. Mr. Saritelli also served on the

House Labor Committee, the House Health, Education and Welfare Committee, the State

Education Commissioners Advisory Council on the Arts, the Providence School Superintendent’s

Arts Advisory Commission, and many other important committees; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Saritelli was a loyal, kind and generous gentleman who lived a life full

of love, passion and service to God, country, his family, and many friends. He will be sorely

missed by all who knew him and loved him, and the beautiful music he created will live on

forever in the memories of the many fortunate people who were blessed to hear him perform; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife Gertrude, Mr. Saritelli also leaves behind his four

step-children, Mary-Jane Newbert, David Kilmartin, Jr., Pat Lincoln and Rosemarie Royal. He

was the brother of Maria Ponticelli, Annamaria DiPanni, and the late Joseph Saritelli, Samuel

Saritelli, Edith Drake, Angelo Saritelli, Mario Saritelli, Amando Saritelli, Anthony Saritelli,

Genevieve Romano, and Adele Klones. Mr. Saritelli was also the beloved uncle to many nieces

and nephews; now, therefore be it

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

expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of the Honorable Vito Anthony Saritelli; 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. Gertrude Saritelli.

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