Connect with us

Rhode Island

Former R.I. Rep. Joseph Lima dies, remembered for dedication to community and Portuguese culture

Published

on

Former R.I. Rep. Joseph Lima dies, remembered for dedication to community and Portuguese culture


PROVIDENCE – Joseph M. Lima, a prominent figure in the Portuguese-American community of Rhode Island, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the age of 78.

A former Rhode Island state representative and first president of the Rhode Island Day of Portugal celebrations at the R.I. State House, Lima is being remembered as a cherished leader who distinguished himself in public service and whose dedication and passion for celebrating Portuguese heritage and culture have left an indelible mark.

“Joe’s vision and leadership were instrumental in establishing the Rhode Island Day of Portugal, creating a vibrant and inclusive celebration that brought together countless individuals over the years,” said Orlando Mateus, who served as 41st President of the Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in Rhode Island. “His legacy of fostering unity, pride, and cultural appreciation will continue to inspire us all.”

For Mateus, Lima was more than a longtime friend and mentor.

Advertisement

“He was a guiding light whose dedication to Portuguese culture profoundly influenced my life,” he said. “His wisdom and counsel were always just a call away, and his unwavering commitment to community and heritage will forever inspire me.”

Marie Fraley, a past R.I. Day of Portugal Committee president and retired director of Rhode Island College’s Institute for Portuguese and Lusophone World Studies, said she’ll remember Lima as “a true statesman, gentleman, and family man who was a community builder.”

“As the first President of the Rhode Island Day of Portugal celebration, he was the foundation of a rich and enduring tradition that continues until this day in Rhode Island,” she said. “His warmth and wisdom will be sorely missed.”

The immediate past president of the R.I. Day of Portugal committee Ana Isabel dos Reis-Couto described Lima as “a pillar of the Portuguese community.”

Advertisement

“He recognized that effective leadership was rooted in a deep pride for our cultural heritage, and that to embrace our history not only strengthens our identity but also fosters a sense of belonging and unity among community members,” she said. “[He] believed in celebrating our traditions, values, and contributions to society so that our culture and heritage was vibrant. He was a steward of our culture, ensuring that our rich narratives and experiences were honored and shared, so that ultimately, they enriched the broader community while fostering resilience and solidarity. That is a legacy that will forever be remembered.”

Councilor for the Portuguese Communities Marcia da Ponte said the community is poorer for Lima’s passing.

“He was a great Portuguese,” she said. “He was proud of his roots and a great advocate for his community. Always very polite, humble and with a great sense of responsibility. May the example of his life be a great inspiration to us all.”

What is Joseph Lima known for?

Born in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Lima came to the United States in 1959 at age 13.

Advertisement

According to his obituary, he worked in management at Davol Rubber Company in Providence, and then moved on to sales positions at for-profit schools, including serving as the Northeast Regional Sales Director at an airline training school out of Miami Beach.

He retired as the Director of Admissions and Corporate Training Coordinator at New England Tractor Trailer Training School in Pawtucket, R.I.

In 1976, he was elected to the R.I. House of Representatives and served from 1977 to 1984, representing Providence as Deputy Majority Leader on the House Finance Committee and on House Education and Corrections Sub-Committees.

He was instrumental in eliminating the state tax on clothing and in opening House Committee meetings to the general public.

He served as Chairman of the Legislative Commission on English as a Second Language and introduced legislation creating the Portuguese Cultural Foundation in Rhode Island.

Advertisement

He also recommended to Governor Joseph J. Garrahy the appointment of M. Rachel Sousa Cunha to the R.I. Board of Regents, known today as the RI Board of Education.

He was the proponent of Peter Francisco Day in the State of Rhode Island.

He remained an active board member of the Rhode Island Day of Portugal and had the honor of serving as Grand Marshal of the 40th celebration in 2017.

When is Joseph Lima’s funeral?

Lima leaves behind his wife Teresa of 39 years, five children (Lori Medeiros and her husband Fred; Wayne J. Lima; Lisa M. Speel and her husband John; Soraya Rodrigues and her fiancé Shikenya, and Bruno Rodrigues) and eight grandchildren.

His funeral will be held on Monday, Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. from the Perry-McStay Funeral Home, 2555 Pawtucket Ave., East Providence, R.I.

Advertisement

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, at 21 Traverse St., Providence, R.I.

Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Calling hours will be Sunday, Oct. 20 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that contributions be made to Hope & Faith Drive, LLC., 18 Intervale Ave., East Providence, R.I. 02914.



Source link

Advertisement

Rhode Island

Ranking Rhode Island’s Most Popular Charity License Plates – Rhode Island Monthly

Published

on

Ranking Rhode Island’s Most Popular Charity License Plates – Rhode Island Monthly


When it comes to expressing ourselves, Rhode Islanders have elevated license plates to an art form. You might not be able to get a new vanity plate — the state suspended applications in 2021 after a judge ruled a Tesla owner could keep his FKGAS plates — but you can still express your Rhody pride with one of seventeen state-approved charity plates. The program has funded ocean research, thrown parades, saved crumbling lighthouses and even provided meals for residents. About half of the $43.50 surcharge goes to the associated charity, while the other half covers the production cost.

________________________

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Atlantic Shark Institute

Year first approved: 2022

Advertisement

Plates currently on road: 7,007

Total raised: $269,530

________________________

Plum Lighthouse

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse

Year first approved: 2009

Advertisement

Plates currently on road: 5,024

Total raised: $336,890

________________________

Wildlife

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island

Year first approved: 2013

Advertisement

Plates currently on road: 2,102

Funds raised: $32,080

________________________

Rocky Point 1

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Rocky Point Foundation

Year first approved: 2016

Advertisement

Plates currently on road: 1,616

Funds raised: $50,450

________________________

Food Bank

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Rhode Island Community Food Bank

Year first approved: 2002

Advertisement

Plates currently on road: 765

Funds raised since 2021: $11,060*

*Prior to 2021, customers ordered plates directly through the food bank, and total revenue numbers are not available.

________________________

Patriots

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Advertisement

New England Patriots Charitable Foundation

Year first approved: 2009

Plates currently on road: 1,472

Funds raised: $136,740

________________________

Conservation

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Advertisement

 

Audubon Society of Rhode Island and Save the Bay

Year first approved: 2006

Plates currently on road: 1,132

Funds raised: $61,380 for each organization (proceeds split evenly)

Advertisement

________________________

 

Bruins 1

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Boston Bruins Foundation

Year first approved: 2014

Plates currently on road: 1,125

Advertisement

Funds raised: $36,880

________________________

Beavertail

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association

Year first approved: 2023

Plates currently on road: 1,105

Advertisement

Funds raised: $37,610

________________________

Fourth Of July

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Bristol Fourth of July Committee

Year first approved: 2011

Plates currently on road: 1,104

Advertisement

Funds raised: $17,640

________________________

Red Sox

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Red Sox Foundation

Year first approved: 2011

Plates currently on road: 860

Advertisement

Funds raised: $88,620

________________________

Gloria Gemma

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation

Year first approved: 2012

Plates currently on road: 1,510

Advertisement

Funds raised: $33,360

________________________

Pc Friars

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Providence College Angel Fund

Year first approved: 2016

Advertisement

Plates currently on road: 693

Funds raised: $23,220

________________________

Rose Island

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Hamilton Trust

Year first approved: 2022

Advertisement

Plates currently on road: 383

Funds raised: $10,640

________________________

Ponham Lighthouse

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse

Year first approved: 2022

Advertisement

Plates currently on road: 257

Funds raised: $7,580

________________________

Portugal

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI Inc.

Year first APPROVED: 2018

Advertisement

Plates currently on road: 132

Funds raised: $3,190





Source link

Continue Reading

Rhode Island

Rhode Island AG to unveil long-awaited report on Diocese of Providence clergy abuse

Published

on

Rhode Island AG to unveil long-awaited report on Diocese of Providence clergy abuse


PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha will release on Wednesday findings from a multiyear investigation into child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

According to the attorney general’s office, the report will detail the diocese’s handling of clergy abuse over decades.

While the smallest state in the U.S., Rhode Island is home to the country’s largest Catholic population per capita, with nearly 40% of the state identifying as Catholic, according to the Pew Research Center.

Neronha first launched the investigation in 2019, nearly a year after a Pennsylvania grand jury report found more than 1,000 children had been abused by an estimated 300 priests in that state since the 1940s. The 2018 report is considered one of the broadest inquiries into child sexual abuse in U.S. history.

Advertisement

Neronha’s investigation involved entering into an agreement with the Diocese of Providence to gain access to all complaints and allegations of child sexual abuse by clergy dating back to 1950. Neronha’s office said in 2019 that the goal of the report was to determine how the diocese responded to past reports of child sexual abuse, identify any prosecutable cases, and ensure that no credibly accused clergy were in active ministry.

Rhode Island State Police also helped with the investigation.



Source link

Continue Reading

Rhode Island

St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Your Guide To Fun In Rhode Island

Published

on

St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Your Guide To Fun In Rhode Island


Rhode Islanders who plan to join in the global celebration of Irish culture can choose from big and small events, including a parade in Providence.

The March 17 holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, and many big events will be held the weekend of March 14-15. Originally a modest, religious feast day honoring the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day today is a vibrant, boisterous holiday observed by millions of people regardless of their heritage.

The Providence parade is March 21.

We’ve rounded up 10 more events to help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But first, are you planning an event this spring? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

Advertisement

Here’s your guide to St. Patrick’s Day fun in Rhode Island:





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending