Funeral arrangements for the late Senate President Dominick Ruggerio were announced Tuesday morning, with a Mass in Ruggerio’s name planned for Monday, April 28, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Church in North Providence.
Calling hours will be held Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m., and again Monday from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Maceroni Funeral Home in Providence.
Ruggerio died Monday morning following a year-long battle with cancer. He was 76.
A North Providence Democrat, Ruggerio was the longest-serving member of the Rhode Island General Assembly, including four decades in the upper chamber. Condolences and praise for his legacy and leadership has poured in from state and federal officials, local union organizers and advocacy groups.
The Rhode Island House of Representatives will honor Ruggerio with a moment of silence, followed by a prayer, when it meets at 4 p.m. today, Larry Berman, a House spokesperson, confirmed via email.
A resolution in Ruggerio’s memory will also be introduced in the House, followed by tributes from House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Rep. Arthur Corvese, also a North Providence Democrat and a “very close friend” of Ruggerio, Berman said.
The Rhode Island Senate has canceled all sessions and committee hearings until after Ruggerio’s funeral. When the remaining 37 senators meet again, their first task will be to elect a new president.
At least three senators — Sen. Ryan Pearson, Sen. Frank Ciccone III and Senate Majority Leader Val Lawson — are believed to be vying for the president spot, though none have publicly confirmed their intentions.
On Monday, Lawson walked away when asked at the conclusion of a State House briefing about the forthcoming president election. Ciccone has not returned multiple calls for comment. Pearson, who served as majority leader until he was ousted by Ruggerio last year following a feud between the two, declined to comment Monday on the election.
Gov. Dan McKee has ordered flags at state buildings and facilities fly at half staff until Ruggerio’s internment.
This story was originally published by the Rhode Island Current.
