Rhode Island man who froze to death out in the cold has been identified

A Rhode Island man who died out in the cold late last month has been identified.

According to The Rhode Island State Council of Churches first responders were called to Washington Street in Providence just before 5:00 a.m. on January 28th after a report of concern for an individual outside during freezing temperatures. They located an unresponsive man who was pronounced dead at the scene.

They issued the following statement.

“We are told that the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and that the second is like it, “to love your neighbor as yourself.” This has been the key principle of faith guiding our service to our communities and to one another.

“Rhode Island continues to lack the essential infrastructure and coordinated response needed to ensure that no one in our community freezes to death on the coldest nights of the year. In response to this ongoing crisis, Operation No One Dies is putting out a call for immediate, concrete collaboration.

“No single organization can solve this alone. It is only through committed partnership and shared accountability that we can build a system strong enough to prevent future deaths. We urge every sector partner to join us in a commitment to working collaboratively to implement these lifesaving measures.

“Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” To take God seriously is to take God’s concerns seriously.”

According to the Boston Globe, Ryan J. Boisvert, a 48-year-old resident of Narragansett, Rhode Island, tragically died from exposure to extreme cold, just days before his 49th birthday.

He was found unresponsive lying under a blanket. Providence police responded, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The death was attributed to hypothermia/freezing conditions amid a severe cold snap affecting the Northeast.

Boisvert had been reported missing from Narragansett prior to the discovery.

According to an obituary, “he had a love for nature; nurturing plants brought him joy, and his fondness for animals showcased his compassionate character. Whether it was tending to his garden or enjoying peaceful moments on the deck with his family, Ryan found solace in the simple pleasures of life.

“Ryan was also cherished in his community for his willingness to lend a hand to his neighbors, embodying a spirit of camaraderie that touched many lives. His unwavering support and genuine kindness will be remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing him.”