Rhode Island Democrats were left in mourning earlier this week by the death of state Senate President Dominick Ruggerio.

According to WPRI, the 76-year-old North Providence state senator's passing was confirmed on Monday via a statement released by his office.

Ruggerio was first elected to public office more than four decades ago

WPRI noted that Ruggerio's death came after he was hospitalized last week as part of his long-running battle with cancer and other health problems.

The outlet recalled how Ruggerio began his political career nearly four and a half decades ago when he successfully ran for a seat in the Rhode Island General Assembly.

Ruggerio served two terms there before being elected to the state Senate, where he rose to the position of Senate president in 2017. He was able to fend off a leadership challenge last year as concerns grew over his health.

Among his achievements was a 2011 bill which created the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission, a body which is dedicated to redeveloping former highway lands.

Ruggerio spoke out against "rigid inflexibility" and legislative gridlock

WPRI pointed out that Ruggerio was well known for maintaining a civil relationship with his Republicans opponents, telling the Senate in 2019 that its members could "disagree without being disagreeable."

Funeral arrangements were announced Tuesday for the late Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, who died Monday after an extended battle with cancer. Full details: https://t.co/AL3681odOk pic.twitter.com/Of8PjPPvpv

— WPRI 12 (@wpri12) April 22, 2025

"It is by working together with each other – by reaching across the table to collaborate on the issues – that we will make our state an even greater place to live and work," he stressed.

"We will get nothing accomplished if we all retreat to separate ideological corners and refuse to listen to each other’s perspectives. Rigid inflexibility is a path to gridlock," Ruggerio went on to insist.

State House speaker praises Ruggerio "for his dedication and leadership"

News of Ruggerio's passing was met with public tributes from Rhode Island lawmakers, including state House Speaker Joe Shekarchi.

Shekarchi was quoted as saying that he was "heartbroken" by Ruggerio's death, saying, "I had enormous respect and admiration for his dedication and leadership."

"Even through his illness, we communicated on nearly a daily basis about the important issues facing our state," Shekarchi observed.

The state House speaker concluded by stating, "This is the end of an era at the State House, where Donny was a true giant for well over four decades."