Rhode Island Senate President Val Lawson’s voice was full of emotion as she began a dedication ceremony Thursday to honor her late predecessor, Dominick Ruggerio – testimony to the esteem that senators hold for “Donny” almost a year after his passing.
“Donny meant so much to this institution,” Lawson said, her voice steadying, as she used Ruggerio’s nickname, “and we all know how much the Senate meant to him. He was a friend to everybody in this chamber and a mentor to so many of us, and he is deeply missed.”
A short time later, Ruggerio’s children, Charles Ruggerio and Amanda Fallon, unveiled a plaque with an image of their father and the words, “A commitment to service.”
Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence Bruce Lewandowski blessed the plaque.
Ruggerio, the longest-serving lawmaker in Rhode Island and an influential player in state politics, died at age 76 in April 2025 after battling cancer and other ailments.
Other members of Ruggerio’s family, all five top state officials, former Senate presidents, former lawmakers and ex-legislators who are now judges crowded into the Senate for an event dedicating the chamber to the former president.
Ruggerio grew up in North Providence and represented a district encompassing that town and part of Providence.
A Senate resolution passed in his honor said Ruggerio left a legacy “of leadership, dedication and commitment to the people he served.”
Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone of Providence called it a bittersweet day and said it was hard to believe almost a year has passed since Ruggerio’s death.
“I continue to feel Donny’s loss as I know all of you do as well,” he said.
Ciccone said it was appropriate that the dedication took place on St. Joseph’s Day since Ruggerio was proud of his Italian-American heritage.
During his time as president, Ruggerio was an impediment on payday lending reform, an issue that moved forward after his passing.
But Lawson said Ruggerio’s best trait was how he listened to other people – “His ability to set aside his own perspective for the good of this body, this institution and the people we serve.
“He cared genuinely and deeply about the people he served in his community and his colleagues in this chamber,” Lawson said.
