HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JOSEPHINE B. FINNEGAN

H7062

2026 -- H 7062
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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
EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JOSEPHINE B.
FINNEGAN

Introduced By:
Representatives Fogarty, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Hull,
Tanzi, Kazarian, Azzinaro, Spears, and McEntee

Date Introduced:
January 13, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Josephine B.
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Finnegan, the devoted wife of the late Terrence Finnegan II, PFC, and the cherished mother of
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Rosemary Finnegan, Kevin Finnegan, and the late Bruce Finnegan and Terrence Finnegan III;
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and
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Finnegan was born in Maine, a daughter of the late Joseph and Louise
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Mantoosh, and the sister of Steven Wiatrowski, and the late Louise Lee, Leona Vilandrie, Laura
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Midgley, Wanda Miller, Elaine McCarthy, Joseph Wasiuk, Stanley Mantoosh and Johny Wasiuk.
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As a young girl, she and her family moved to the City of Providence, where she attended Oliver
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Hazard Perry High School; and
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WHEREAS, With a loving personality, Mrs. Finnegan, lovingly known as “Granny
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Josie” created a home that was warm and welcoming. She doted on her family and loved sharing
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stories, and cooking her famous homemade pancakes, golumpkis and other Polish dishes, along
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with her beloved blueberry or fruit pies, particularly for her grandchildren, Lynne Finnegan and
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Aaron Finnegan, and her great-granddaughter, Keia DePina McKinney; and
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WHEREAS, The Finnegans had raised their family in Providence and spent many
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wonderful summers at Roy Carpenter's Beach, eventually moving permanently to East Matunuck.
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She possessed a tremendous work ethic, and had been blessed with remarkable health and energy,
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living until the age of 104, and still working a few mornings a week at the Ocean Mist until a few
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months before her passing; and

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WHEREAS, Throughout her life, Mrs. Finnegan had loved live music. She particularly
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enjoyed late nights at the Ocean Mist where she was quite proudly honored with a "reserved" seat
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to listen to the bands, and chat with locals and visitors to the seaside venue. A delightful
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storyteller at heart, she would often say, "Oh, I could write a book with all the things I've seen";
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and
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WHEREAS, Josie Finnegan was a talented artist, an avid gardener, an accomplished
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seamstress, and a skilled furniture remodeler who possessed a sharp wit, humor, and a vibrant
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spirit that will forever be remembered and missed by all who had shared her remarkable life;
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now, therefore be
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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extends deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Josephine B. Finnegan; 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 Rosemary Finnegan and Family, and Kevin
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Finnegan and Family.
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