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4/21/2025
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Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, 1948-2025
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 STATE HOUSE — President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio passed away early this morning.
He had been Senate president since 2017, having previously served as majority leader since 2010. The longest serving member of the General Assembly, he was elected to the Senate in 1984 after having served for four years in the House of Representatives.
The Rhode Island Senate released the following statement:
“It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio earlier this morning. We are so grateful for the love and support of his friends and colleagues. Throughout his illness, Donny fought valiantly, just as he always had for his constituents and the residents of Rhode Island.”
Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi issued this statement:
“I am heartbroken by the news of the passing of my dear friend, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. I had enormous respect and admiration for his dedication and leadership. Even through his illness, we communicated on nearly a daily basis about the important issues facing our state. Donny devoted his life to the people of Rhode Island, which will always be his legacy. This is the end of an era at the State House, where Donny was a true giant for well over four decades, beginning his career in the House in 1981 before moving to the Senate four years later. On behalf of the House of Representatives, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and his Senate colleagues, and we will miss him greatly.”
Please click here for Senate President Ruggerio's biography.
For more information, contact:
Greg Pare, Director of Communications for the Senate
State House Room 112
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-5558
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