HOUSE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE JOSEPH A. CAPINERI

H7014

2026 -- H 7014
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LC003118
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE JOSEPH A.
CAPINERI

Introduced By:
Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Messier, Furtado,
Kennedy, Ackerman, Fellela, Ajello, and Diaz

Date Introduced:
January 08, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House has learned of the passing of the
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Honorable Joseph A. Capineri, a distinguished member of the Rhode Island House of
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Representatives for 24 years, representing District 81 in Pawtucket, from 1957 to 1980. Mr.
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Capineri was the beloved husband of the late Ethel Capineri with whom he shared sixty years of
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marriage; and
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WHEREAS, The Honorable Joseph Capineri was born in 1929, the son of the late Angelo
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and Giovanna Capineri. He was a graduate of Providence College and earned his Juris Doctor
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from Boston University School of Law, where he graduated second in his class and served on the
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Law Review. After graduating, Mr. Capineri started his own law firm in Pawtucket, where he
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practiced successfully, skillfully and with great passion and dedication well into his eighties; and
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WHEREAS, Joseph Capineri was a longtime member of the Pawtucket Country Club
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with his wife Ethel, where he made many lifelong friendships and enjoyed playing golf and
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taking part in lively card games. Mr. Capineri was a member of numerous professional and social
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organizations, including the American Bar Association, Rhode Island Bar Association, Pawtucket
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Bar Association, Retired Legislator’s Association, Sons of Italy, Italian Dramatic Independent
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Political Club, To-Kalon Club, Elks Lodge, Bear Lakes Country Club, West Palm Beach, Florida
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and the Pawtucket Country Club; and
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WHEREAS, The Honorable Joseph Capineri is survived by his son, the Honorable
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Stephen J. Capineri (Retired), Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Family Court, and his wife,

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Nancy, and daughter Lisa Millar and her husband, Ronald. He is also survived by his four
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grandchildren, Peter Capineri, Marissa Shallcross, her husband Derrick, Michael Capineri, his
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wife, Catherine, and Kerri Zavota, and six great-grandchildren Ronan, Isla, Camden, George,
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Charles and Dayvon, and his daughter, Inola. Mr. Capineri was predeceased by his grandson, 1st
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Lieutenant Gregory F. Zavota; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of the Honorable Joseph A. Capineri; and be it
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further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Associate Justice Stephen J.
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Capineri and Lisa Millar.
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