Former RI Democratic Party Chair Weiner Passes Away
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Longtime Rhode Island Democratic operative Mark Weiner has passed away at the age of 62.
Weiner, who had been the former Chair of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, was a big Clinton supporter and fundraiser, of both the former President and wife Hillary. (See bio below).
"Mark came from humble beginnings and worked his way up the ladder. He's been fighting this disease for many years. He fought the good fight," Rhode Island State Representative and former Providence City Council President John Lombardi told GoLocalProv.com, of Weiner's battle with leukemia.
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Weiner recently appeared on the new ABC6 political roundtable "In the Arena" with former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino and GoLocal CEO Josh Fenton.
"To describe Mark properly, more than anything, he wanted to help people -- whether it was in high school, getting someone a ticket to football game, or getting a book for someone who needed it," said Paolino on Tuesday. "If he saw a homeless person walking down the street, he'd give them money or take them for a meal. He'd give the ball at the ballgame to the kid who didn't catch it in the seats, or he'd go and buy the kid a ball. That's who he was."
"Mark would say he was the luckiest guy in the world, despite all he'd been through. He'd say I've battled cancer, I was in a coma, my father died at a young age -- but I'm the luckiest man in the world because I've got great kids and a great wife," said Paolino. "I've known him 47 years. Outside of my own spouse and my family, I've known him the longest. It will be lonely and empty without Mark. "
Weiner Background
Weiner was active in the education and scholarship-focused Jackie Robinson Foundation, which touted Weiner's background and success:
"Mark S. Weiner is the founder of Financial Innovations, Inc., one of the largest political mass-marketing firms in the United States. Mr. Weiner and Financial Innovations are highly visible in the political arenas on local, national, and international levels, managing the merchandising efforts of numerous national organizations and conventions.
Mr. Weiner, founder and chairman of Crimzon Rose Accessories, along with his partner, Felix Porcaro, has created one of the top 10 largest jewelry manufacturing companies in the United States with approximate annual revenues of $65 million with offices in the United States and Asia.
Mr. Weiner has been extremely active and influential in national politics for more than 25 years, holding key positions in Presidential campaigns and on the Democratic National Committee. Since 1978, he has served as a member of several different finance groups at the Democratic National Committee, including Finance Vice Chair for the Democratic National Committee, The Democratic National Committee Finance Council & National Business Council, and its Board of Directors, where he served as a Managing Trustee from 1988 – 2000. Mr. Weiner has also been a delegate at four Democratic National Conventions and was a member of the 1988 Democratic National Site Selection Committee. He was a founding member of IMPAC and served as Deputy Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee from 1988 to 1992. He also served on the National Democratic Institute’s Board of Directors from 1988 to 1990. Mr. Weiner served as Treasurer of the Democratic Governors’ Association until January 2003. He has been elected as an At-Large member of the Democratic National Committee since 1992.
Mr. Weiner has been active in every Democratic Presidential campaign since 1976. In previous national campaigns, Mr. Weiner served on the Finance Board of Directors and was a National Vice-Chairman for the 1984 Mondale for President Campaign, the 1988 Dukakis for President Campaign, and 1992 & 1996 Clinton for President Campaigns. In 1976, he was a member of the national staff for the successful Carter for President Campaign, and from 1977 to 1978 he was an aid to the President Carter’s Appointment Secretary. In 1980, Mr. Weiner was again on the staff of the Carter for President Re-election Committee. He was a National Vice-Chairman and the Rhode Island Fundraising Chairman for the Dukakis for President Campaign. As Chairman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, Mr. Weiner was one of the first State Chairs to support the Bill Clinton’s 1992 candidacy for President. Mr. Weiner was active in both the 1992 & 1996 Clinton/Gore campaigns. In 2000 & 2004, he was appointed as a member of the Electoral College from Rhode Island. And in 2004, he was National Finance Chair for the John Kerry for President Campaign."
Updated Tuesday 2:25 P.M.
