Nicole J. Benjamin
Cranston High School West, Class of 1999
Attorney Nicole J. Benjamin is a litigator with more than a decade of courtroom experience who has been recognized for her successes in complex commercial litigation matters. As a shareholder in the firm of Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C., Nicole spearheads the firm's use of cutting-edge technology to efficiently manage complex litigation from pre-suit to trial.
Nicole has represented public and private companies in high-stakes litigation in federal and state court. She has defended clients against antitrust, breach of contract, employment, intellectual property, products liability and toxic tort claims. She also has defended class actions and litigated cases involving international law, mergers and acquisitions, securities laws and banking laws.
Additionally, Nicole has represented state departments, state general officers and municipalities in matters of significant public importance, including constitutional challenges to government actions. Along with her trial court experience, Nicole has successfully briefed and argued cases in the First Circuit and the Rhode Island Supreme Court.
Nicole maintains many professional relationships and affiliations as a result of her distinguishing herself through her practice and publications. She has served on the Board of Governors for Leadership Rhode Island for the past nine years, and has filled the role of Chair since 2020. Also, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Women's Resource Center and has held various leadership roles for the organization since 2015.
Nicole is a 1999 graduate of Cranston High School West, where she served as editor of the student newspaper. She is magna cum laude graduate of Roger Williams University School of Law and the University of Rhode Island. Nicole is a Trustee of Roger Williams University and has been a member of the Board of Directors of Roger Williams University School of Law since 2014.
In view of her many years of hard work and professional achievements in the field of law and her service to Rhode Island organizations, the Cranston Hall of Fame proudly installs Nicole J. Benjamin as a member of its Class of 2022.
Paul Ciccarelli
Cranston High School West, Class of 1973
Paul Ciccarelli, a 1973 graduate of Cranston High School West, has led a highly successful career in law enforcement for more than four decades. A proud military veteran, Paul began his career in the US Navy in 1974 and served as a cryptographic technician for four years. After earning a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Roger Williams University and a Master's degree in criminal justice from Salve Regina University, Paul graduated first in his class from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy and then worked as a patrolman and detective for the Scituate Police Department for six years.
In 1984 Paul made the transition to federal law enforcement and was hired as a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), where he held a variety of positions and leadership roles at stateside and overseas NCIS offices. In Italy, he served as the protective service detail leader and provided executive security for the four-star admiral and his staff; Paul and his team accompanied the admiral throughout Europe and Asia, including travel to Bosnia and Croatia during the Bosnian War. As a result of his protective service experience, Paul was later called upon to support security teams for the US Secretary of Defense during travel to Brazil and Bahrain and for President Barrack Obama during his visit to the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in 2008.
During one of his three assignments to Washington, DC, Paul served as division chief and provided oversight to a team of NCIS agents who were dispatched to the Pentagon to assist the FBI with the crime scene examination following the 9/11 terrorist attack. Paul served as the special agent in charge for three separate NCIS field offices, including the Office of Special Projects (OSP) in Washington, DC, where he was responsible for managing the most sensitive counterintelligence investigations conducted by NCIS. Paul and his team worked jointly with the FBI on the Chi Mak spy case that resulted in the arrest and sentencing of an engineer who conspired with family members to export US sensitive technology to the Peoples Republic of China.
During his 25-year NCIS career, Paul received numerous awards and commendations including the Navy Superior Service Award, Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and the NATO Medal for Service. Following his retirement from NCIS in 2009 Paul worked as a counterintelligence lead and security site integrator for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Marietta, Georgia for 10 years. As a resident of Kings Bay, Georgia, Paul was asked to serve as a board member for Habitat for Humanity, and received the Habitat Silver Hammer Award for his dedicated work. Paul retired to Venice, Florida in 2019.
In view of his outstanding achievements and accomplishments in the field of law enforcement, the Cranston Hall of Fame proudly installs Paul Ciccarelli as a member of its Class of 2022.
Obituary - Image Credits
Paul J. DiMaio
Cranston High School East, Class of 1960
The Honorable Paul J. DiMaio has spent his distinguished legal career as a probate judge and an attorney who tirelessly serves the Rhode Island community. He is well-known as a fierce advocate for his clients in both the criminal and civil spheres and is the longest sitting probate court judge in Rhode Island. Judge DiMaio retired in 2021 after serving as Johnston Probate Court Judge for more than four decades. Upon his retirement, the Town of Johnston's Municipal Courthouse Conference Room was dedicated in his honor.
A 1960 graduate of Cranston High School East, Judge DiMaio earned his law degree from Suffolk University Law School and was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 1968. In addition to serving clients through his law practice, he has provided countless hours of pro bono legal work for numerous people over the years. Many attorneys have turned to Judge DiMaio for advice because of his vast legal knowledge and his sterling reputation as a criminal law expert.
Judge DiMaio is an individual who believes in giving back to society and consistently lends his support to a wide range of youth sports, educational and community organizations. Among those that have benefited from his generosity are the Johnston High School and East Providence High School scholarship programs, Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Rhode Island SPCA, St. Robert Bellamine Church, Our Lady of Grace Church, Humane Society of the United States, Boys Town, St. Jude's Hospital, and Providence Animal Rescue League.
In view of his distinguished background as a judge and lawyer and his compassion and generosity, the Cranston Hall of Fame proudly installs Judge Paul J. DiMaio as a member of its Class of 2022.
Michael A. Matracia
Cranston High School East, Class of 1984
Michael A. Matracia is a dedicated public servant who has served the Providence Police Department and his community for over 30 years, despite facing many physical challenges along the way. A proud 1984 graduate of Cranston High School East and the 53rd Providence Police Training Academy, Michael's grit, spirituality and steadfast desire to take life as it comes truly embodies the Cranston spirit of giving service to others.
An exemplary athlete at Cranston East and recipient of the Top Shooter Award from the Providence Police Training Academy, Michael began his career with the Providence Police Department in 1988 as a control center operator and then a rookie patrol officer. Being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis several years ago, Michael faced the inevitability of life in a wheelchair. This, however, hasn't stopped him from continuing his career as an active member of the Providence Police Department and from earning an Associate degree in science from Roger Williams University and continuing his studies in criminal justice.
Michael's positive attitude, infectious smile and stamina have given him the ability to endure the challenges brought to him by his diagnosis. From mentoring students in the Burch Program at Mount Pleasant High School to his work with Special Olympics and the MS Dream Center of Rhode Island, Michael's service to others has made a profound impact on the lives of people across the state. A tireless advocate on behalf of people with disabilities, Michael is the recipient of the Accessible Rhode Island 2014 Person of the Year Award, Congressman James R. Langevin Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, Senator Jack Reed Certificate of Accomplishment, City of Providence Community Service Award, City of Cranston Person of the Year Award, RI Community Partnership Award, along with numerous recognition awards from the Providence Police Department.
In view of his enduring dedication to his career in law enforcement and his unrelenting service to the community, the Cranston Hall of Fame proudly installs Michael A. Matracia as a member of its Class of 2022.
