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S3269
2026 -- S 3269
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LC003674
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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 CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF ARTHUR PAIVA
Introduced By:
Senators Lawson, de la Cruz, Felag, Tikoian, Appollonio, Rogers,
Paolino, Raptakis, Zurier, and Vargas
Date Introduced:
May 06, 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 Arthur
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Paiva, a devoted family man, distinguished veteran and community servant. Mr. Paiva was
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predeceased by his wife, Marie Elizabeth Stricker Paiva and his son-in-law Mark Stephen Weed.
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Arthur Paiva was the devoted and proud father of the Honorable M. Teresa Paiva Weed, former
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Rhode Island State Senate President and distinguished Rhode Island State Senator, Joe Paiva and
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John Paiva, his daughters-in-law, Lauren Krams Paiva and Jackie Mercer, and his three
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grandchildren, Josh, Jake and Lilly. Mr. Paiva was also the brother of the late Anthony Paiva,
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George Paiva, Manuel Paiva, Francis Paiva, Mary Keavy, and Mary Rodrigues; and
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WHEREAS, Arthur Paiva was born on a farm in Warren, and arrived in Newport in 1938
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at the age of six, only able to speak Portuguese. With the help of his many friends, and by
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voraciously reading the local newspapers, Arthur taught himself English during his first year of
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grade school. Arthur was a rambunctious youngster who easily made friends, while playing
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baseball and tennis and working in restaurants and bowling alleys, but he also frequently got into
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trouble. After either dropping out or being expelled from High School, Mr. Paiva joined the
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United States Army, and ended up fighting in some of the most brutal battles of the Korean War
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in June of 1953, where he witnessed the deaths of many men and found himself on the wrong side
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of the enemy lines for three days; and
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WHEREAS, Returning home from the United States Army, Arthur was suffering from
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what we now know to be PTSD. Arthur got back into trouble at home and received an ultimatum
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from Judge Carrellas to either straighten up or re-enter the military. In 1955, Arthur chose to
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enlist in the United States Air Force, which turned out to be the best decision of his life. He
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served our nation with distinction for three years as an Aircraft Weapons Technician and, more
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importantly, met the love of his life, Marie Paiva, at Elgin Air Force Base; and
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WHEREAS, Arthur Paiva returned to Newport in 1958 with his wife, a transformed man.
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He served his community and provided for his family as a mail carrier for 27 years, while also
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raising his family of three children. Arthur and his wife were extensively involved in community
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affairs, being active in numerous clubs and volunteered for many causes. Arthur was an honorary
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life-member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, an honorary life-member of the
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Newport Elks, where Arthur and Marie would often dance the night away on the dance floor.
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Arthur was also a member of the VFW, Vasco de Gama, and an Auxiliary member of the Vincent
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de Paul Society; and
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WHEREAS, Arthur also helped to save lives through his leadership in bringing Kidney
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Dialysis machines to Newport and Rhode Island in the early 1970’s, by collaborating with the
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Rhode Island Kidney Foundation, Knights of Columbus and other nonprofit organizations. Arthur
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also became one of the oldest bone marrow donors in history in order to save and extend the life
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of his brother despite the great risk to his own health and the significant possibility that his
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damaged heart and artificial aorta could fail; and
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WHEREAS, Arthur was also an umpire for 51 consecutive years and was amongst the
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first senior umpires to umpire girls and women’s softball games. He earned wide praise and
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recognition for his support of women’s softball; now, 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 on the passing of Arthur Paiva; 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 Honorable M. Teresa Paiva Weed, Joe
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Paiva and John Paiva.
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LC003674
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