9 Selected to Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame

9 Selected to Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame

The Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame has announced its 2023 inductees. 

According to Board President Albert Beauparlant, the Hall of Fame, consisting of Rhode Islanders from Roger Williams and the Chief Sachems of the Narragansett and the Wampanoag tribes to the present. was created in 1965 to honor “any individual who has brought credit to Rhode Island, brought Rhode Island into prominence, and contributed to the history and heritage of the state.”

SEE 2023 Inductees Below 

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Beauparlant succeeded Dr. Patrick T. Conley as president. This year’s annual induction ceremony--the 58th--will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at The Crowne Plaza Pavilion in Warwick.

General James D’Agostino, a Hall of Fame director, is dinner chairman and is assisted by Lt. Colonel Dennis Morgan, a member of the Hall of Fame Advisory Counsel.      

The Pawtuxet Rangers Fife and Drum Corps, led by Advisory Council Member Colonel Ronald Barnes, will open the evening’s program.

Dinner music will be provided by an array of well-known local musicians, some of whom are Hall of Fame inductees.

 

The Inductee Class of 2023 (listed alphabetically) with their inductors (who are Hall of Fame Inductees or Directors) is as follows:   

 

Gail Cahalan-Conley

Real estate developer, business woman, patron of the arts, philanthropist, humanitarian, and advocate of Native American rights.

Inducted by Director Dr. Scott Molloy (2009 Inductee)

 

Steve Kass

Local radio and TV commentator, animal rights activist, philanthropist, and director of Big Brothers of Rhode Island.

Inducted by Director Michael Lyons

 

Robert “Rocky” Kempenaar

A developer of commercial real estate and hotel operations, civic leader, and long-time supporter of the programs of the U.S. Naval War College.

Inducted by General and Director James D’Agostino

 

Barbara A. Papitto

Philanthropist

Inducted by Director Patrick T. Conley, Jr., Esq.

 

J. Lynn Singleton

Highly successful manager for over four decades of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC).

Inducted by Howard G. Sutton II (2012 Inductee)

 

Justice O. Rogeriee Thompson

Rhode Island attorney and Superior Court judge who rose to the high rank of Senior Justice of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Inducted by Judge & Director Jane Howlett

 

Gene Valicenti

Radio and TV personality at WJAR who has raised millions for charitable causes and earned many broadcasting awards for excellence.

Inducted by Mayor & Director Michael Levesque

 

Robert “Bob” Venturini

Rhode Island cable TV host for over thirty years, who is noted not only for his programming but also for his many charitable campaigns, especially his Toys for Tots Telethon.

Inducted by Secretary Dr. Debra Mulligan

 

James R. Winoker

Jewelry manufacturer, real estate developer, historical preservationist and philanthropist.

Inducted by Director David Tessitore

 

The donation to the Heritage Hall of Fame for the dinner event is $105.00 per person or $975.00 for a table of ten.  Congratulatory ads can also be placed in our program book. Visit our website for the link or contact our office for information and details.

The Rhode Island general public is urged to attend to pay tribute to their distinguished fellow citizens.

The invitation and reservation form can be downloaded online at: www.riheritagehalloffame.com