NEWS: RI House doorkeeper DiPaolo dies at 106

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WPRO Newsroom and the Associated Press

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Longtime Rhode Island House of Representatives doorkeeper Frank DiPaolo has died at the age of 106.

 

Former Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy said DiPaolo died Thursday evening in hospice care. Kennedy called DiPaolo a friend, mentor and trusted adviser.

 

DiPaolo served as a doorkeeper for the House of Representatives for more than 30 years before retiring in 2010. While working for the House, he was the only person given the honorary title of speaker emeritus.

 

He began his political career in 1928 working for New York Gov. Al Smith’s campaign for president in Rhode Island. He went on to work for dozens of other political campaigns, including Kennedy’s successful 1994 bid for Congress.

 

Congressman David Cicilline released this statement regarding DiPaolo’s death:

“A true son of Providence, Frank DiPaolo first became involved in politics in 1928 when he went to work for New York Governor Al Smith, and over the course of the eight decades that followed, he became renowned as a Rhode Island political institution and respected for his willingness to stand up for the people and causes he believed in.”

“In recent years, as the doorkeeper to the Rhode Island House of Representatives and the only person ever honored with the title of Speaker Emeritus, he became known to a new generation of candidates, elected officials, and members of the press, and he played a pivotal role as a confidante to my friend and predecessor, former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy.” 

“I will always remember the wonderful moments last fall when Frank accompanied Patrick and campaigned for me throughout Rhode Island.  My thoughts and prayers are with the entire DiPaolo family during this difficult time.”

 

Funeral arrangements are pending.