By Richard C. Dujardin
NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Frank DiPaolo Jr., the longtime doorkeeper at the State House who guided Patrick Kennedy when the former congressman was pondering his first bid for public office 25 years ago and went onto become a trusted adviser, died Thursday from complications from a fall. He was 106.
The Providence Journal/Connie Grosch
NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Frank DiPaolo Jr., the longtime doorkeeper at the State House who guided Patrick Kennedy when the former congressman was pondering his first bid for public office 25 years ago and went onto become a trusted adviser, died Thursday from complications from a fall. He was 106.
DiPaolo suffered the fall on Dec. 28 and was in and out of the hospital several times before entering hospice a few days ago.
Kennedy, calling from New Jersey where he now lives, said he was a better person because of Frank.
"He was a big part of my life, but as I look back I realize I was just small part of his. I didn't get to know him until he was 80 years old."