Rhode Island Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, the state’s longest-serving senator and a towering figure in state politics for over four decades, died early Monday morning after a battle with cancer. He was 76.
Senate spokesman Greg Pare confirmed Ruggerio’s passing in a statement: “It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio earlier this morning. We are so grateful for the love and support of his friends and colleagues. Throughout his illness, Donny fought valiantly, just as he always had for his constituents and the residents of Rhode Island.”
Ruggerio began his public service career in 1977 as a policy aide in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. He was elected to the House in 1980 and moved to the Senate in 1984, eventually becoming its most senior member. He was named Senate President in 2017.
A longtime official with the Laborers’ International Union of North America, Ruggerio left that post after becoming Senate President but remained a close ally of organized labor.
Throughout his tenure, Ruggerio was known for championing labor rights, environmental protections, and community development. His legislative accomplishments earned him several awards, including the Humane Society’s Humane Legislator Award and the Clean Water Association’s Legislator of the Year honor.
He held a degree from Providence College and served on multiple civic boards, including the Wanskuck Library and the DaVinci Center.
Ruggerio represented District 4, which includes parts of North Providence and Providence.
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