Passing of a Brother
10/19/2015 | Webmaster Blue Knights RI 1
One of the Founding Fathers of BK RI 1 Joaquim "Jake" Saraiva transferred his membership to Heaven I on October 14th 2015.
He died peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 14th following a courageous battle with cancer. Jake, a retired Detective Corporal of the East Providence Police Department, of Warwick, RI and formerly of East Providence was the loving husband of Judith A. (Medeiros) Saraiva and the late Alice (Almeida) Saraiva. Born in East Providence, son of the late Jose J. Saraiva, Sr. and the late Adelaide (Paiva) Saraiva he leaves behind four children; Joaquim Saraiva, Jr. of Warwick, Gail Ann Fredrick and her husband Paul of East Providence, Paula Jean Fournier and her husband James of Harrisville, Lisa Renee Duarte of East Providence, and is predeceased by his daughter Debra Marie Saraiva. He is also survived by 3 stepchildren Dawn Piers, Robin Marx and her husband Ron and Annette Fry and her husband Tim. He was the beloved brother of Adelaide Pacheco and her husband Anthony, Manuel Saraiva and his wife Judith, and the late Jose Saraiva, Jr. and his late wife Mary. He was the cherished grandfather of nine grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Jake was a retired detective Corporal of the East Providence Police Department in the Major Crimes Unit. He was the Inspector of the Department of Environmental Control for 10 years for the City of East Providence. He also served as a K-9 Unit Officer while on the East Providence Police Department. He actively served on the East Providence Police Force for 25 years before retiring. He continued to work Special Details until his time of illness. Jake was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #1; Charter Member of Portuguese American Police Association; member of East Providence Police and Fire Retirement Association; Jake served 36 months in the U.S. Army in Europe.
Jake was an Entrepreneur who owned and operated Saraiva Fuel Co., Saraiva Transport Ltd, and Handy Jake & Co. all of East Providence.
In 1975 Jake was the founding father and Past President of the Blue Knights of RI; National Director of the International Blue Knights; and held numerous offices with both organizations. He was a very proud member of the exclusive “12” International Blue Knights, and gold life time member of Blue Knights International.
He was a member of the Family Motor Coach Association and past president of several other camping organizations. He traveled 49 out 50 states, all Canadian, and alternating Provinces by camper. He was a lifetime avid motorcycle rider and made two cross country trips and all of Canada by motorcycle.
Past President of RI Road Rider Motor Cycle Club of RI, Past President of Wild Goose Seekonk, MA Chapter of New England Family Motor Coach Association.
Past President of Yankee Streamers Family Motor Coach of America, and Past President of Yankee Travelers Family Motor Coach of America. Jake was a proud member or the East Providence Police Beneficial Association.
Jake was instrumental in bringing driver education into RI for motorcycle licensing. On 9/11/02 he led the largest motorcycle ride ever on an East Providence Police Department motorcycle from East Providence to Ground Zero in New York. He was also very instrumental in numerous motorcycle events in RI over the past 60+ years.
Jake graduated from New England Tech, attended North Eastern University, University of Maryland, BCC, and Salvae Regina College.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the East Providence Police Beneficial Association c/o East Providence Police Department.