SOURCES: Joe Fernandez Dies at 46

SOURCES: Joe Fernandez Dies at 46

Joe Fernandez, a Democratic candidate for Attorney General in the last election and a former Providence City Solicitor, has passed away after a long illness, according to several sources close to the family. He was 46.

Fernandez, a Providence resident, had two young daughters, aged 8. His wife, Emily Maranjian, works in the white collar crime unit of the Attorney General's office.

Fernandez ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for Attorney General earlier this fall. After losing the race, he had maintained a low political profile. He had previously served as the state co-chair for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. He served as city solicitor from 2003 to 2009.

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Fernandez was a graduate of Brown University and Harvard Law School. He was a trustee of Trinity Repertory Company, a trustee of Brown University, and the elected President of the worldwide Brown Alumni Association.

UPDATE: Click here to read more, including tributes from those who knew and worked with him.