2023 -- S 0011
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING PROFOUND SYMPATHY ON THE PASS ING OF FATHER RAYMON D
TETREAULT
Introduced By: Senator Samuel W. Bell
Date Introduced: January 17, 2023
Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration
WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Father 1
Raymond Tetreault, a revered and beloved priest with the Catholic Diocese of Providence, who 2
devotedly served the people of Olneyville and the City of Providence for more than fifty years; 3
and 4
WHEREAS, Father Tetreault grew up in the Lippitt Hill neighborhood of Providence, a 5
son of the late Conrad and Elizabeth Carroll Tetreault, and brother of Joseph Tetreault and his 6
wife, Maria, and the late Irene Meenagh, Conrad Tetreault, and Leon Tetreault. He was the 7
beloved uncle of many nieces, nephews, and ten great-grand nieces and nephews; and 8
WHEREAS, Upon graduation from the Holy Name School, Father Tetreault attended 9
LaSalle Academy, Our Lady of Providence Seminary, and was ordained in 1960 at the University 10
of Louvain in Belgium; and 11
WHEREAS, After his ordination, Father Tetreault taught English and Algebra at the high 12
school seminary, became superior and Novice Master of the “Brothers of Our Lady of 13
Providence,” whose mission was to work with the poor, and was Pastor at St. Teresa of Avila for 14
many years. He ultimately went to St. Michael the Archangel Parish after St. Teresa's sadly 15
closed; and 16
WHEREAS, Over the years, Father Tetreault would visit neighborhood homes, saying 17
Mass for Latino immigrants new to the city and the poor and under-served. He celebrated the first 18
Spanish Mass in the State and his devotion to the Latino community and his understanding of 19
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their needs led to his commitment for their struggle for justice. He helped good men to become 1
great leaders and helped them envision, embrace, and work for decent and productive lives for all. 2
He preached the principles of non-violence, and the rewards of embracing justice and peace as the 3
foundation for a good and worthy life; and 4
WHEREAS, Father Tetreault was “a man of simple needs but of great and profound 5
ideas.” He leaves his loving family and legions of close friends, brother priests, and members of 6
Rhode Island’s Latino and immigrant communities, whose lives he enriched and improved and 7
who will all deeply mourn his passing; now, therefore be it 8
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses deepest 9
sympathy on the passing of Father Raymond Tetreault. He will forever be remembered as a 10
devout spiritual leader who spent his life bettering the lives and future for so many Rhode 11
Islanders; and be it further 12
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 13
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Joseph Tetreault and Family. 14
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