Husband of RI Senate president dies of cancer

NEWPORT, R.I.—The husband of Rhode Island Senate President M. Teresa Paiva-Weed has died of cancer.

Mark Weed died at his Newport home on Saturday, about eight months after he was diagnosed with the disease. Paiva-Weed spokesman Greg Pare, who announced the death, said Weed was 50.

Paiva-Weed learned of her husband’s diagnosis shortly before she was sworn in this year as the first woman to lead the Senate. She said becoming Senate president was their shared dream.

Paiva-Weed’s husband received a standing ovation after his wife took the oath of office.

A wake for Weed will be held Tuesday at Memorial Funeral Home in Newport. A funeral Mass is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Jesus Saviour Roman Catholic church in Newport.