Arthur Armand Coia

In Loving Memory of Arthur Armand Coia.   1943 – 2025

Arthur Armand Coia, 82, of Providence, Rhode Island and Delray Beach, Florida passed away surrounded by family on July 11, 2025. Born in Providence, Arthur was the only child of Marie (Marciaro) and Arthur E. Coia. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Donna Paolino Coia, his children Christen A. Corrente and Arthur E. Coia II from a previous marriage to the late Joanne (Ciaccia) Coia and their spouses Darren F. Corrente and Jennifer Goodrich Coia. He was the grandfather of Catherine Corrente, Nicholas Corrente, Caroline Coia and Arthur A. Coia II.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, he was survived by his stepdaughters Mari Bianco and her husband Angelo and their children, Nicholas, AJ and Brooklyn and Kara Paolino Marchionte and her husband Adam Hayden and their children Hudson and Stella.

To his family, Arthur is remembered as a caring, attentive husband, father and grandfather whose love will live on in their hearts. He was an inspiration to them all.

Arthur graduated from LaSalle Academy, Providence College and Boston University School of Law. A dedicated and passionate labor leader, Arthur began his career in law by co-founding the Providence-based firm Coia & Lepore in 1970 with his partner and dear friend. He focused his legal work on Workers’ Compensation, committed to protecting the rights of injured workers. Continuing in the footsteps of his father, Arthur E. Coia, he joined the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 271 in Providence and worked construction while in college and law school. In 1967, he became the first Business Manager of the Rhode Island Laborers District Council and rose through the ranks of LIUNA first as Regional Manager, then International Vice President and in 1986 became General Secretary-Treasurer. In 1993, he reached the pinnacle of his career when he became the General President of LIUNA, a role in which he ushered in a period of revitalization and strength for the Union. He believed deeply in the power of labor and management working together for shared success and was instrumental in creating the Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET) funds across North America. He was a staunch advocate for education and created the Arthur E. Coia Scholarship Education Fund in honor of his late father. The Fund has raised millions of dollars for college scholarships for sons and daughters of LIUNA members in New England. Under his leadership LIUNA entered the 21st century on a path of growth and prosperity. When Arthur retired, he left behind a stronger, more unified union that continues to serve working men and women across the United States and Canada.

Beyond his professional achievements, Arthur was a man of many passions. A lifelong musician, he played the accordion to help finance his education and later delighted his grandchildren with impromptu musical performances on their birthdays. He was an avid sports fan, especially of his beloved New York Yankees and Providence College Friars. He was an accomplished golfer winning numerous Club Championships. He was known to spend hours hitting golf balls perfecting his swing and known for the occasional “ball fit.”

To say he was an automobile enthusiast is an understatement. Many considered him a foremost expert on Ferraris which he loved to both collect and drive, especially on early Sunday mornings when he could go as fast as he wanted down the highway. He was a dog lover and bred award winning Rottweilers and was especially proud when his favorite dog won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Arthur had an infectious laugh and beautiful smile. He loved pranks and telling long stories. He was an early riser which is when he would text his numerous friends and family daily with a funny meme or reel. He loved daily breakfast at Luna Rosa in Delray Beach when in Florida and lunch at Andino’s in Providence, where he would gather with friends and discuss the topics of our times. Arthur was equally comfortable speaking with union members about their issues as he was speaking with Presidents and Popes about world issues.

He and Donna loved to spend time in Newport in the summers and made an annual road trip to Saratoga for the horse races. They also enjoyed cruising and traveling to Europe, particularly their trip to the Ferrari factory in Modena. As a Formula 1 enthusiast, he especially loved their trip driving a Ferrari from Switzerland to France as participants in the Run to Monaco. Above all, he was a child at heart and found immense joy in his grandchildren, teaching them to play golf, drive a stick shift, and embrace life fully — just as he did every day.

Arthur touched countless lives over his 82 years with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering love. While his family and many friends are heartbroken to say goodbye, they are grateful for the peacefulness of his passing and the legacy he leaves behind.

Funeral Arrangements

A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday July 17, 2025 at 10:00 am at the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul, 30 Fenner Street, Providence, RI. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed and may be viewed at www.hillskeffington.com . Burial will be in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, RI. Calling hours are respectfully omitted. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE ONLY AVAILABLE PARKING WILL BE EITHER STREET PARKING OR PAID PARKING. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.  

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Coia’s memory may be made to the Arthur E. Coia Scholarship Education Fund, 410 South Main Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903 or to Dr. Ziya Gokaslan’s Research at Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute at Rhode Island Hospital a https://giving.brownhealth.org/RIH/Support-RIH  or mailed to the Rhode Island Hospital Foundation Gokaslan Research, Development Office, PO Box H, Providence RI 02901. You can also contact the development office at (401) 444-6500.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Skeffington Funeral Home and Cremations of Providence RI.