2022 -- H 8325

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LC006094

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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 PHILIP F. CALIRI

     Introduced By: Representatives C Lima, Baginski, Potter, Fenton-Fung, Handy,
Shekarchi, Blazejewski, McNamara, Filippi, and Kennedy

     Date Introduced: June 07, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Philip

Caliri, a devoted public servant and retired Cranston police officer; and

     WHEREAS, Philip Caliri was the son of the late Mafalda and Antonio Caliri, a self-made

man who immigrated to the United States by himself at the age of sixteen in a desire to build a

better life in America; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Caliri joined the Cranston Police Department in the late 1950s, and

played a vital role in creating and mentoring his fellow police officers in what was a precursor to

a modern special victims unit. Officer Caliri was well-known for working on the most difficult

cases and was highly regarded for his ability to solve crimes and close cases; and

     WHEREAS, Officer Caliri was also passionate about reaching out to youngsters and

educating them about self-protection and the role of the law in their lives. He became the

founding officer of the Youth Liaison Program in the City of Cranston, where he traveled

frequently to speak at schools and became well-known and beloved as “Officer Friendly”; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Caliri was a man of many talents who served his community in

numerous capacities in addition to his position as a police officer. He excelled as an announcer

and was a newscaster on WLKW late night radio. He was a lector at St. Bartholomew’s Church,

and for more than forty years, he announced parties’ dinner reservations as a Maitre d’ at Twin

Oaks restaurant. He also collected fine suits and ties, and once modeled menswear for Seventh

Avenue; and

     WHEREAS, In his personal life, Mr. Caliri pressed hundreds of pounds at the gym,

enjoyed riding a motorcycle down old country roads and proudly once drove a Lamborghini. He

also loved music and eating Italian food; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Caliri leaves behind his wife, Carole Caliri, and his daughters and their

spouses, Sherry Ferdinandi and her husband, Steven, Ingrid Caliri-Juchnik and her husband,

Steve, and Kim Cavalloro and her husband, Michael, and his four step-children, Deborah Round

and her husband, Daniel, Kimberly Johnson, Eric Johnson and Richard Johnson. He also leaves

behind his former wife, Ingeborg Caliri, eight grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, three

great-grandchildren, and countless friends; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Caliri will be long remembered by all who knew him for his untiring

service to the citizens of Cranston and the State of Rhode Island, and for the abundance of love

and service he gave to his family and friends; 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 Philip Caliri; 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. Carole Caliri and Family.

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LC006094

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