The longtime Democratic member and president of the RI Senate passed away on April 21 after battling cancer for over a year. Ruggerio was the longest-serving member in either the RI Senate or House of Representatives. Ruggerio resided in North Providence and is survived by his two children, Charles and Amanda. Proceedings in the legislature were suspended for one week in observance of his passing. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who will miss him in the RI government and throughout Rhode Island. •
