SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF CHARLES J. LARANJO

S3171

2026 -- S 3171
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LC006221
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF CHARLES J. LARANJO

Introduced By:
Senator Dawn M. Euer

Date Introduced:
March 27, 2026

Referred To:
Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
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WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Mr.
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Charles J. Laranjo, a lifelong resident of Newport. He was predeceased by his parents, Jose and
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Maria Laranjo, and his sisters, Helen Souza and Mary Williams and his wife, Margaret Ann
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Laranjo; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Laranjo graduated from Rogers High School in 1953, where he excelled
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academically and received Rhode Island State and National Honor Society Awards. He also
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served in the ROTC program from 1951 to 1953. After graduating from high school, Mr. Laranjo
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worked for William T. Manning and served in the Rhode Island National Guard; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Laranjo went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education
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from Central Connecticut State University in 1959, and later obtained a Master’s Degree in
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Education from Bridgewater State University in 1964. Mr. Laranjo then embarked on a long and
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distinguished career as an educator, teaching Industrial Arts at Thompson Junior High School
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until his retirement in 1990. Mr. Laranjo was listed in “Who’s Who in American College and
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Universities,” served as past President of the Industrial Arts Education Club, and was a member
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of Kappa Delta Pi Fraternity, the Photography Club, the Radio Club, and the National and
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Connecticut Education Associations. Mr. Laranjo also assisted instructors in teaching ceramics at
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Salve Regina University; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Laranjo lived a life that was devoted to civic and community service.
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Always proud of his Portuguese heritage, he served as both the Treasurer and President of the
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Portuguese American Federation, was a member of the Vasco Da Gama Holy Ghost Society,

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General Rosecrans Assembly, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Faithful Navigator, and the
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Newport Council of the Knights of Columbus, serving as the Grand Knight. He also served with
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the Portuguese Discovery Monument Foundation as a Committee member; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Laranjo also was a member of the Newport Sports Car Club, Kiwanis
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Club, Boy Scouts of America, the U.S. Power Squadron, and the NEA Retired Program; and
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WHEREAS, Sailing played a big part of Mr. Laranjo’s life. He was a Life Member of the
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Newport Yacht Club, where he met his first wife, Helen Marie, mother to his daughter Wendy.
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Mr. Laranjo was a Past Commodore and during his tenure he led the club through its first
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expansion. Mr. Laranjo will be long remembered for starting the Junior Sail program and Ensign
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Fleet 5. He also served as a member of the Newport Yacht Club’s House Committee, Junior
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Activities Committee and the Frost Bite Committee. He will also be long remembered for his
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many achievements in racing his Ensign Fleet 4 Burgee in the Ensign Nationals and local races,
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along with his many years of hosting the annual Yacht Club Clam Bakes; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Laranjo served on the Newport Waterfront Commission, where he was
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instrumental in securing resident parking at Kings Park and returning the Washington Street
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Extension to the Newport City rolls. He served as a member of the Friends of the Waterfront, and
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the Elks Club of Newport Chapter 104 and received a Certificate of Accomplishment from
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Senator Jack Reed for his 30 years of dedication to the Newport Democratic City Committee,
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where he held the title of Chairman, and
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WHEREAS, Charles J. Laranjo was a devout Catholic his entire life. He was baptized,
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received his First Holy Communion and Confirmation at Jesus Savior Church, and was a member
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of Jesus Savior Holy Name Society for over 45 years. He was a dedicated supporter and volunteer
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for the Annual Bazaar and Holy Ghost Feast. In 2007, Mr. Laranjo was honored as Man of the
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Year by the Holy Name Society. In his later years, he attended Mass at St. Lucy’s Parish in
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Middletown; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Laranjo is survived by his daughter, Wendy Laranjo, his siblings,
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Theresa Lacerda, Rose Northup, Ann Zerbus, and his lifelong friend, Harold Perlingiero; now,
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therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest
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condolences to the Laranjo Family on the passing of Charles J. Laranjo; and 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 duly certified copies of this resolution to the family of Charles J. Laranjo.
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