Edward L. Maggiacomo

It is with great sadness but profound gratitude for their love and life together that Ingeborg Maggiacomo announces the death of her devoted husband Edward L. Maggiacomo. At the time of his passing, Ed was surrounded by his wife and adoring children.

Ed met Inge on Christmas Eve 1960, after her father invited a lonely Army Lieutenant serving in Germany during the Cold War to church and a family holiday dinner. They fell in love, were married and began 64 happy years together.

A lifelong Rhode Islander, Ed was born in Providence in 1936 and grew up in Cranston. His strong and loving parents, Giuseppe and Giulia raised seven children. Ed was the youngest. His two brothers, Biagio and Joseph and three of his sisters, Assunta Iaciofano, Mary Grimaldi, Gloria Zito predeceased him. He is survived by his sister Elaine Ruggieri.

While Ed’s career in law and politics brought many highlights, including a Rose Garden visit to the White House to honor Pope John Paul II and a State Dinner with the Prime Minister of Italy, his most exceptional skills were as a husband, father and later a grand and great-grandfather. 

Ed and Inge raised four children who loved and respected him for his extraordinary dedication to his family, his love for their mother and the kindness and grace with which he did it all. Ed had immeasurable impact on the lives of his daughter Susanne and son-in-law Steven Tallarida, son Edward Jr. and daughter-in-law Kristin, his son Michael and his son Stephen and daughter-in-law Maryellen. He was the finest role model a child could hope for.

Papa was loved, admired and wildly adored by his twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed and forever loved by Haylee and her husband Deepak Diwan and their children, Shepard, Sienna and Gemma, as well as Chloe and Sophie Tallarida, by Michael, Mia, Mollie and Matthew Maggiacomo and Tom Maggiacomo, Grace Finney and her husband John, John, Marc and David Maggiacomo. The power of Ed’s example has been a lifelong blessing for his entire family.

Ed was a founding member of one of RI’s largest law firms: Adler, Pollock and Sheehan. His skill as an attorney, problem solving acumen and willingness to mentor earned the respect of all he practiced with and those he competed against. Ed served seven terms in the RI House of Representatives proudly representing his friends and neighbors in the Knightsville neighborhood of Cranston, ending his last term as the House Majority Leader. Ed then served sixteen years as RI’s Democratic National Committeeman, attending numerous conventions and casting Electoral College votes in several Presidential Elections.

For twelve years, Ed served as a trustee of the RI Foundation. During his tenure, Ed’s persistence pushed the foundation toward a more proactive and direct approach to its philanthropic efforts. He was rightfully proud of his time at the RI Foundation and its role in assisting Rhode Islanders in need. Ed’s Providence College education and excellence as a student earned him acceptance into Georgetown University Law School. His commitment to PC is an example of his loyalty, generosity and honoring his roots. Ed rewarded Providence College with 30 years of service on the President’s Counsel and faithful donations for 65 straight years.

He relished decades of lunches and political discussions with fellow members of the Aurora Civic Association and cherished the time he spent with friends playing golf and cards at the Alpine Country Club. Ed leaves this life with a legacy of love, loyalty, friendship and dedication to purpose in all that mattered to him. His immediate and extended family and all who called him a friend are grateful for this legacy and so many lessons learned.

Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 10:00 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Church, Cranston, where Ed received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation and served as an altar boy. Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, where he will be buried next to his beloved son Michael. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks memorial contributions be made to: RI Food Bank, 200 Niantic Ave, Providence, RI 02907.