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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF CHRISTOPHER

THOMAS DIPAOLA

     Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, Azzinaro, Spears, Cotter, Blazejewski,
Shekarchi, Chippendale, Fenton-Fung, Shallcross Smith, and O'Brien

     Date Introduced: January 10, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow that this House has learned of the passing of "the

voice of Westerly," Christopher DiPaola, the beloved husband of Laina, and the father of Haidan

and Stevie, and stepson, Adrian; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Skowhegan, Maine, Chris, as he was known by family and friends,

was the son of Nadine and Thomas DiPaola, the brother of Jaime Wager and her husband,

Tristan, and the uncle of Sadie. In addition, he was blessed with a large and loving extended

family of aunts, uncles and cousins; and

     WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Westerly, Mr. DiPaola developed his passion for radio

at an early age listening to and admiring the on-air personalities on what was 66 WNBC in New

York. In pursuit of his dream, he grew into the "larger-than-life personality" "Crazy Chris" and

became the owner of the local radio station WBLQ AM/FM in Westerly as well as WWRI

AM/FM in West Warwick; and

     WHEREAS, Devoted and active in the Westerly-Pawcatuck-Chariho communities, Mr.

DiPaola was a past president and current member of the Rotary Club of Westerly, the Ocean

Community Chamber of Commerce, and was past secretary of the Charlestown Chamber of

Commerce; and

     WHEREAS, Described as the "heart and soul of the community," Mr. DiPaola provided

not only information but also comfort to many listeners during Superstorm Sandy, when many

lost power and had to rely on their battery-powered radios for information, and also during the

many months of isolation caused by the COVID pandemic; and

     WHEREAS, Over the course of his lifetime, Mr. DiPaola was honored with myriad

awards for his commitment and "efforts to connect people during times of need" and for his

support for local nonprofits and businesses; and

     WHEREAS, Chris DiPaola was a loving husband, father, friend, and true gentleman who

touched the lives of many and although he will no longer greet his fans on the 1230-AM radio

broadcast each morning, he will be forever in their hearts and memories; now, therefore be it

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

extends deepest condolences on the passing of Christopher DiPaola; 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. Laina DiPaola and Family.

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