2025 -- S 0596
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LC001494
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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. 2025
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF DR. JOSEPH J. BOX
Introduced By: Senator Meghan E. Kallman
Date Introduced: March 04, 2025
Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration
WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate of the State of Rhode Island has 1
learned of the passing of Dr. Joseph J. Box. He was the beloved husband of the late Janice Drake 2
Box; and 3
WHEREAS, Joseph J. Box was born in Providence to Maria and Luigi Box. Mr. Box was 4
raised in a close-knit and loving Italian-American family on River Avenue, surrounded by fig, 5
pear and chestnut trees and other vegetables in their gardens. As a young boy, Mr. Box loved 6
spending time with his mother picking blueberries, foraging for mushrooms, and canning 7
tomatoes; and 8
WHEREAS, Joseph Box was an industrious young boy who worked numerous jobs 9
growing up, starting at the tender age of six. Whether it was working at an “unauthorized” 10
newspaper stand in front of the Biltmore Hotel with his brother Al, to making jelly donuts in 11
Cranston, working for Adolf the Taylor or working as a “Bobbin Boy” at Lorraine Mills, where 12
he hauled, and re-tied broken threads on the looms for the women workers, there was hardly a 13
place in Rhode Island where Joe could not drive by and tell you an interesting story about his 14
youthful exploits. He also spent the summer of 1941 as a Jazz musician on Block Island; and 15
WHEREAS, An admittedly indifferent student in high school, Joe’s life changed by 16
chance when a friend invited him to visit the dental laboratory in which he worked making dental 17
molds. Thus began Joe’s career in dentistry, beginning as a dental assistant. However, before Joe 18
could advance within his chosen career, World War II would literally explode on the horizon; and 19
WHEREAS, During World War II, Joseph Box served our nation with distinction in both 20
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the United States Navy and the United States Marines, serving as a Dental Technician. Joe 1
enjoyed serving in the military so much, after World War II, he joined the Rhode Island Air 2
National Guard, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; and 3
WHEREAS, After World War II, thanks to the Veterans GI Bill, Joseph Box attained his 4
GED and attended Providence College, something he never imagined would be possible. Mr. Box 5
then proceeded to attend dental school in St. Louis, and then practice dentistry for 65 years, 6
where he was known and beloved for his family-friendly and kid-friendly approach to dentistry; 7
and 8
WHEREAS, Shortly before attending dentistry school, Mr. Box met the love of his life, 9
the late Janice Drake, at a YWCA dance. They married shortly thereafter, and raised their four 10
children together in a wonderfully loving and nurturing home, and doted on their grandchildren 11
together until her passing; and 12
WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Joseph Box was always giving back in support of his 13
community. He served in numerous leadership positions within the Rhode Island Air National 14
Guard, the City of Pawtucket, in support of numerous national dental associations, including 15
serving as the Chief Examiner for the National Dental Association, and in support of the Sons of 16
Italy civic organization. Mr. Box, later in life, also returned to dentistry, working as a mobile 17
dentist at several nursing homes; and 18
WHEREAS, Joseph Box has received numerous awards and honors throughout his 19
distinguished career, including being inducted into the Pawtucket Hall of Fame, and being the 20
first recipient of the Rhode Island Dental Association’s eponymous Dr. Box Everyday Leadership 21
Award, presented annually to a person who has demonstrated the highest level of ethics and 22
dedication to the improvement of the art and science of dentistry; and 23
WHEREAS, In his free time, Joe enjoyed travelling, especially to his beloved Italy, 24
listening to opera, writing and reciting poetry, and practicing yoga on a daily basis; and 25
WHEREAS, Joseph J. Box leaves behind his children, David Box, and his wife, Diana, 26
Sharon Holtkamp, Krista Box and her husband, Matthew Riley, and Suzy Box and her husband, 27
Harry Adler, and his five grandchildren, Tony, Lindsay, Alex, Nick and Will, and his great-28
granddaughter Stella; now, therefore be it 29
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest 30
condolences to the Box Family on the passing of Joseph J. Box; and be it further 31
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 1
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to David Box, Sharon Holtkamp, Krista Box and 2
Suzy Box. 3
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LC001494
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