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By Ken Dooley Musical prodigy, concert pianist, and educator Raymond Thompson Jackson, Jr. became the first African American, first musician, and youngest person to be inducted into The Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame at that time (1966). He was born on December 11, 1933, in Providence, Rhode Island. His mother and father were beauticians
By Ken Dooley It would be challenging to list the highlights of Doris Brennan Weir’s athletic career without omitting some accomplishment, title, or record. She was simply among the finest female swimmers in the world. It would have been perfect if this brilliant young lady could have completed her competitive career by performing in the
By Dr. Scott Molloy If George M. Cohan had been more truthful in Yankee Doodle Dandy, he would have reported his birth date as July 3, and not the “born on the Fourth of July” claim reported in his song. Admittedly, his truthfulness would have reduced its punch. A birth certificate from St. Joseph’s Roman
United States Army LT Robert Turner Waugh is one of three Rhode Islanders to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor during World War II. Each of the three Medals was presented posthumously. Robert was born in Ashton (a mill village of the Lonsdale Company that eventually would become part of incorporated Cumberland), Rhode Island to
Peter Laudatti was a dominant figure in the history of sports in Rhode Island during the first half of the 20th century. He was involved in numerous sporting ventures, including bicycling, baseball, boxing, football, and soccer. Born in 1884 at Sante Croce del Sannio in Italy, he immigrated to the United States with his family
Milton Rhenquist, born on June 6, 1897, was the son of Frederick and Albertina (Bachman) Rhenquist. His family relocated to the Fairmont area in southern Minnesota, where he bravely enlisted in the Army and served overseas in WWI. This early display of resilience and dedication set the stage for his future achievements. After his military
James E. Dooley was a leading sports figure in Rhode Island. He became part owner of the Providence Steam Roller of the National Football League from 1916 until 1933, when the team folded. The 1928 team won the NFL Championship with an 8-1-2 record. Dooley was one of the founders of the Canadian-American (Can-Am) Hockey League in 1926, as well as the founder
Henry F. Lippitt came from an old and distinguished American family. In 1638, John Lippitt of Warwick, England, arrived in Rhode Island. He bought one of the original home lots in Providence and was instrumental in organizing the colony. Lippitt’s family fought in the American Revolution, attended St. John’s Episcopal Church, farmed the land around