EAST PROVIDENCE, RI- The City of East Providence honored the late Avelino “Chappy” Rose with a street dedication ceremony on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
Avelino Rose who is affectionately known as “Chappy” was born on March 21, 1924 in the City of East Providence and was the eldest of four children born to Jose DaRosa of the island of Fogo and Annie Brito Rose of the island of Brava (both part of the Cabo Verde archipelago).
“In life, Chappy was the heart of his community and contributed to the well-being of our city residents, specifically those living in the area of Carlton Avenue,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “We are honored to be able to recognize him with the naming of this street, but even more so, I am blessed and grateful to have had the opportunity to spend time with him and let him know that this was going to happen before he left us.” “I want to thank the city council for making this opportunity to acknowledge and remember the life and legacy of Avelino “Chappy” Rose a reality,” DaSilva added.
In 1942, at just 18 years old, Chappy enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as a corporal in the 1883rd Aviation Engineer Battalion, an all-black unit attached to the 10th Air Force in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. Known as the “trailblazers”, these soldiers carved roads through some of the most treacherous terrain of the war, an effort recognized by historians as one of the most complex and courageous undertakings of the Allied campaign.
For his service , he was awarded the Purple Heart, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Battle Star. He later served as Commander of the China-Burma-India Mini State Basha, RI Veterans Association (2003–2009).
"The City Council had the high honor of recognizing Chappy Rose as the true patriot he was. It was a joy when the Mayor and I visited him in his home recently,” Council President Bob Rodericks said. “I am so glad that he was well aware of the love this community has for him."
After returning home from the war, Chappy married Alice Fontes, first settling in Fox Point, Providence, but Chappy’s intentions were always to return to his roots of East Providence.
With the blessing and support of his mother, he built a home on Carlton Avenue, the very land he was born and raised, which was originally owned by his maternal grandmother, Mary Santos. In 1958, Chappy and Alice moved into the home he built with his own hands and together they raised five children (Billy, Lois, Jeffery, Joey and Elizabeth).
Chappy’s devotion to the Cape Verdean community continues to be on full display today, where he was known as a “jack of all trades”. A pillar of the Cape Verdean Progressive Center, Chappy volunteered countless hours as Building Chair, shaping the physical and spiritual heart of the Cape Verdean (CV) Club, through his hands-on work with renovations to the front bar and construction of the Founders Hall.
Chappy also was the first Black/Cape Verdean Processing Sheriff in Rhode Island and the first Black/Cape Verdean Waterfront Superintendent for John J. Orr & Sons.
Chappy was a war hero, a trailblazer on the docks, and a visionary son of immigrant parents. He was a man ahead of his time—fiercely proud of his heritage, deeply rooted in his neighborhood, and committed to lifting others through hard work, humility, and love.
For all of those reasons and more it is with great honor that the City of East Providence celebrates Avelino “Chappy” Rose’s life with a street dedication ceremony to celebrate his legacy and achievements.
