HOUSE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF MANUEL PEDROSO

H8239

2026 -- H 8239
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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 DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF MANUEL PEDROSO

Introduced By:
Representatives Blazejewski, Solomon, Shekarchi, Chippendale, Ajello,
Kennedy, Fellela, Shallcross Smith, Hull, and McNamara

Date Introduced:
March 05, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House of Representatives has learned of the
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passing of Manuel Pedroso at the age of 106; and
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WHEREAS, Manuel Pedroso was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1919. Mr.
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Pedroso was only three years old when he was taken to Portugal with his parents and brother. He
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was raised in Alvados, Porto de Mós, and later graduated from the Escola Comercial e Industrial
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de Domingos Sequeira in Leiria. Inspired by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the
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promise of opportunity and freedom in the United States, Mr. Pedroso returned to his birth
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country in 1942; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Pedroso settled in Providence during World War II and became a
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skilled welder at the Walsh-Kaiser shipyard, helping to build liberty ships in support of
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America’s war effort. Following the war, Mr. Pedroso served our nation with distinction for two
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years as a member of the United States Merchant Marine, after which he returned to Providence
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and married the love of his life, Marie Pedroso. Together they built a beautiful marriage and
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celebrated 77 wonderful years together; and
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WHEREAS, For more than six decades, Mr. Pedroso owned and operated Friends Market
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in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence, which is now recognized as the oldest Portuguese-
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American market still in operation. Friends Market was far more significant than merely being
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another neighborhood business. Friends Market was the heart and soul of the community. It was a
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warm and welcoming gathering place where Portuguese immigrants reunited and shared their
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memories and exchanged stories about “the old country”, and how they built new lives and made

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new lifelong friendships; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Pedroso was affectionately known as the “Father of the Portuguese-
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American community in Rhode Island.” He mentored countless new immigrants, helped them
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secure employment, assisted with applications, tutored many who were preparing for their
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naturalization exams, and sponsored many families to reunite them in America. He always
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encouraged new immigrants to embrace American citizenship, to vote, to speak their minds, and
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maintain their cultural roots and heritage; and
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WHEREAS, Manuel Pedroso’s immense contributions to our state have been lauded and
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heralded in many quarters. Nobel Laureate José Saramago featured Mr. Pedroso in his series of
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memoirs, Cadernos de Lanzarote. In 2019, Mr. Pedroso was honored as the “Man of the Century”
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by the Rhode Island Day of Portugal Committee. In 2022, the City of Providence gave a portion
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of Sheldon Street the honorary name of “Pedroso Way”, guaranteeing that his name will forever
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be enshrined in the neighborhood he loved and cherished for most of his life. Mr. Pedroso also
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received the “Order of Merit” from the President of the Portuguese Republic in 2024; and
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WHEREAS, Manuel Pedroso was an active member of numerous organizations including
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the Pawtucket Social Club, the Cranston Portuguese Club, the Cranston Portuguese Rod and Gun
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Club, Cavaqueiros, and the Club Juventude Lusitania Cumberland. He was also an honorary
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member of the Portuguese Heritage Choir of Rhode Island and Our Lady of the Rosary Band, and
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was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary Church for 84 years; and
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WHEREAS, Manuel Pedroso is survived by his beloved wife, Maria Pedroso, and their
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children, Manuel A. Pedroso and his wife, Jane Pedroso, and Eileen Maria Pedroso Afonso and
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her husband, José Manuel Afonso. Mr. Pedroso also leaves behind his sister, Olivia Calado, and
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was predeceased by his siblings Antonio Pedroso and Elias Pedroso. Mr. Pedroso also leaves
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behind his grandchildren, Dorrie Eaton and her husband, Mark Eaton, and Kristen Pedroso and
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her husband, Shaun Jones, Phillip Afonso, Diana Marie Afonso, and Andrew Afonso, and his
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great-grandchildren, Kylie Eaton, Adriana Eaton, Noah Pedroso Jones, Lucia Pedroso Jones, and
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Arabella Afonso Allen; 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 to the Pedroso Family on the passing of Manuel Pedroso; and
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be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Maria Pedroso and Family.
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