Christopher G. Arruda : THE STATION NIGHTCLUB DISASTER - Profiles of victims
Providence Journal (RI) - February 26, 2003
Edition: All Section: News Page: A-10
Christopher G. Arruda ; 'always wanted to help'
It was Christopher G. Arruda 's dream to drive a truck.
Ever since Mr. Arruda , 30, of Blackrock Road in Coventry, was a little boy, he had loved cars and trucks. He collected model cars, horded stacks of car magazines and worked in the pit crew for friends racing at Seekonk Speedway.
In the backyard of the house he shared with his mother and grandmother, he kept a white Ford Ranger that he equipped with big monster-truck tires. His "baby" was an old ugly brown Pontiac that he got as a 16-year-old and only sold last year.
And about seven years ago, Mr. Arruda got a job as a truck driver for D & N Equipment, of Johnston. "That really made him happy," says his mother, Patricia Arruda .
Keith Danna, of Coventry, met Mr. Arruda at the old Bess Eaton doughnut shop on Tiogue Avenue, where "car guys" used to hang out. Mr. Arruda was known for his "bumblebee car" a yellow and black Dodge Aspen.
"He's great with kids and dogs," Danna said. "He was just a good guy. Not too many people don't know him. He's got more friends than you can believe."
Mr. Arruda was talkative and generous. He was strong, too. He once broke his ankle getting out of his truck and kept walking, even showing up to work the next day when others told him to take it easy.
"He'd see people broken down on the side of the road and he'd stop," Patricia Arruda said. "I told him, 'You're crazy in this day and age to stop.' He'd say, 'Ma, don't worry about it.' He always wanted to help."
Even on the night he died, Mr. Arruda thought of others. Patricia Arruda said she heard from people who were at The Station that her son made it out of the club, but went back inside to help people escape.
Mr. Arruda 's other passion was music. His favorite was Pink Floyd, and he also liked '80s rock bands. He was a regular at The Station and was friendly with an ACDC tribute band that played there.
"He had a sad side, too," Patricia Arruda said. "Besides driving the truck, I don't think he really ever found the happiness he wanted. He had gone through a bad time and was just starting to act like himself."
Mr. Arruda 's grandfather died two months ago almost to the day of his death. Mr. Arruda will be buried next to his grandfather.
Born in Warwick, the only child of Patricia E. (Dugdale) Arruda , Mr. Arruda had lived in Scituate before moving to Coventry 10 years ago. He was a graduate of Scituate High School, Class of 1990, and the New England Tractor Trailer School in 1995. He was a member of the Phenix Sportsmen's Club. He enjoyed all motor sports.
Besides his mother, he leaves his maternal grandmother, Eva M. (Giroux) Dugdale, of Coventry; and two uncles, David C. Dugdale of Scituate and Robert W. Dugdale of Coventry; and two cousins. He was the grandson of the late Chester W. Dugdale and Manuel and Iola (Holbrook) Arruda .
A committal service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery Chapel, Hill Street.
- Meaghan Wims
Providence Journal (RI) - February 26, 2003
Section: Obituaries
ARRUDA , Christopher G. February 21, 2003. Son of Patricia E. (Dugdale) Arruda . Maternal Grandson of Eva M. (Giroux) Dugdale and the late Chester W. Dugdale. Paternal grandson of the late Manuel and Iola (Holbrook) Arruda . Nephew of David C. and Robert W. Dugdale. Cousin of Darlene Buxton and Steven Dugdale. Residence Blackrock Rd., Coventry. Committal Service Friday 10 a.m. SS Peter & Paul Cemetery Chapel, Hill St., Coventry. Relatives and friends invited. Calling hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. in the Robert A. Iannotti & Son's Funeral Home, 415 Washington St, Rt 117 Coventry.
Providence Journal (RI) - February 26, 2003
Edition: All Section: News Page: A-10
Christopher G. Arruda ; 'always wanted to help'
It was Christopher G. Arruda 's dream to drive a truck.
Ever since Mr. Arruda , 30, of Blackrock Road in Coventry, was a little boy, he had loved cars and trucks. He collected model cars, horded stacks of car magazines and worked in the pit crew for friends racing at Seekonk Speedway.
In the backyard of the house he shared with his mother and grandmother, he kept a white Ford Ranger that he equipped with big monster-truck tires. His "baby" was an old ugly brown Pontiac that he got as a 16-year-old and only sold last year.
And about seven years ago, Mr. Arruda got a job as a truck driver for D & N Equipment, of Johnston. "That really made him happy," says his mother, Patricia Arruda .
Keith Danna, of Coventry, met Mr. Arruda at the old Bess Eaton doughnut shop on Tiogue Avenue, where "car guys" used to hang out. Mr. Arruda was known for his "bumblebee car" a yellow and black Dodge Aspen.
"He's great with kids and dogs," Danna said. "He was just a good guy. Not too many people don't know him. He's got more friends than you can believe."
Mr. Arruda was talkative and generous. He was strong, too. He once broke his ankle getting out of his truck and kept walking, even showing up to work the next day when others told him to take it easy.
"He'd see people broken down on the side of the road and he'd stop," Patricia Arruda said. "I told him, 'You're crazy in this day and age to stop.' He'd say, 'Ma, don't worry about it.' He always wanted to help."
Even on the night he died, Mr. Arruda thought of others. Patricia Arruda said she heard from people who were at The Station that her son made it out of the club, but went back inside to help people escape.
Mr. Arruda 's other passion was music. His favorite was Pink Floyd, and he also liked '80s rock bands. He was a regular at The Station and was friendly with an ACDC tribute band that played there.
"He had a sad side, too," Patricia Arruda said. "Besides driving the truck, I don't think he really ever found the happiness he wanted. He had gone through a bad time and was just starting to act like himself."
Mr. Arruda 's grandfather died two months ago almost to the day of his death. Mr. Arruda will be buried next to his grandfather.
Born in Warwick, the only child of Patricia E. (Dugdale) Arruda , Mr. Arruda had lived in Scituate before moving to Coventry 10 years ago. He was a graduate of Scituate High School, Class of 1990, and the New England Tractor Trailer School in 1995. He was a member of the Phenix Sportsmen's Club. He enjoyed all motor sports.
Besides his mother, he leaves his maternal grandmother, Eva M. (Giroux) Dugdale, of Coventry; and two uncles, David C. Dugdale of Scituate and Robert W. Dugdale of Coventry; and two cousins. He was the grandson of the late Chester W. Dugdale and Manuel and Iola (Holbrook) Arruda .
A committal service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery Chapel, Hill Street.
- Meaghan Wims
Providence Journal (RI) - February 26, 2003
Section: Obituaries
ARRUDA , Christopher G. February 21, 2003. Son of Patricia E. (Dugdale) Arruda . Maternal Grandson of Eva M. (Giroux) Dugdale and the late Chester W. Dugdale. Paternal grandson of the late Manuel and Iola (Holbrook) Arruda . Nephew of David C. and Robert W. Dugdale. Cousin of Darlene Buxton and Steven Dugdale. Residence Blackrock Rd., Coventry. Committal Service Friday 10 a.m. SS Peter & Paul Cemetery Chapel, Hill St., Coventry. Relatives and friends invited. Calling hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. in the Robert A. Iannotti & Son's Funeral Home, 415 Washington St, Rt 117 Coventry.
Christopher G. Arruda : THE STATION NIGHTCLUB DISASTER - Profiles of victims
Providence Journal (RI) - February 26, 2003
Edition: All Section: News Page: A-10
Christopher G. Arruda ; 'always wanted to help'
It was Christopher G. Arruda 's dream to drive a truck.
Ever since Mr. Arruda , 30, of Blackrock Road in Coventry, was a little boy, he had loved cars and trucks. He collected model cars, horded stacks of car magazines and worked in the pit crew for friends racing at Seekonk Speedway.
In the backyard of the house he shared with his mother and grandmother, he kept a white Ford Ranger that he equipped with big monster-truck tires. His "baby" was an old ugly brown Pontiac that he got as a 16-year-old and only sold last year.
And about seven years ago, Mr. Arruda got a job as a truck driver for D & N Equipment, of Johnston. "That really made him happy," says his mother, Patricia Arruda .
Keith Danna, of Coventry, met Mr. Arruda at the old Bess Eaton doughnut shop on Tiogue Avenue, where "car guys" used to hang out. Mr. Arruda was known for his "bumblebee car" a yellow and black Dodge Aspen.
"He's great with kids and dogs," Danna said. "He was just a good guy. Not too many people don't know him. He's got more friends than you can believe."
Mr. Arruda was talkative and generous. He was strong, too. He once broke his ankle getting out of his truck and kept walking, even showing up to work the next day when others told him to take it easy.
"He'd see people broken down on the side of the road and he'd stop," Patricia Arruda said. "I told him, 'You're crazy in this day and age to stop.' He'd say, 'Ma, don't worry about it.' He always wanted to help."
Even on the night he died, Mr. Arruda thought of others. Patricia Arruda said she heard from people who were at The Station that her son made it out of the club, but went back inside to help people escape.
Mr. Arruda 's other passion was music. His favorite was Pink Floyd, and he also liked '80s rock bands. He was a regular at The Station and was friendly with an ACDC tribute band that played there.
"He had a sad side, too," Patricia Arruda said. "Besides driving the truck, I don't think he really ever found the happiness he wanted. He had gone through a bad time and was just starting to act like himself."
Mr. Arruda 's grandfather died two months ago almost to the day of his death. Mr. Arruda will be buried next to his grandfather.
Born in Warwick, the only child of Patricia E. (Dugdale) Arruda , Mr. Arruda had lived in Scituate before moving to Coventry 10 years ago. He was a graduate of Scituate High School, Class of 1990, and the New England Tractor Trailer School in 1995. He was a member of the Phenix Sportsmen's Club. He enjoyed all motor sports.
Besides his mother, he leaves his maternal grandmother, Eva M. (Giroux) Dugdale, of Coventry; and two uncles, David C. Dugdale of Scituate and Robert W. Dugdale of Coventry; and two cousins. He was the grandson of the late Chester W. Dugdale and Manuel and Iola (Holbrook) Arruda .
A committal service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery Chapel, Hill Street.
- Meaghan Wims
Providence Journal (RI) - February 26, 2003
Section: Obituaries
ARRUDA , Christopher G. February 21, 2003. Son of Patricia E. (Dugdale) Arruda . Maternal Grandson of Eva M. (Giroux) Dugdale and the late Chester W. Dugdale. Paternal grandson of the late Manuel and Iola (Holbrook) Arruda . Nephew of David C. and Robert W. Dugdale. Cousin of Darlene Buxton and Steven Dugdale. Residence Blackrock Rd., Coventry. Committal Service Friday 10 a.m. SS Peter & Paul Cemetery Chapel, Hill St., Coventry. Relatives and friends invited. Calling hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. in the Robert A. Iannotti & Son's Funeral Home, 415 Washington St, Rt 117 Coventry.
Providence Journal (RI) - February 26, 2003
Edition: All Section: News Page: A-10
Christopher G. Arruda ; 'always wanted to help'
It was Christopher G. Arruda 's dream to drive a truck.
Ever since Mr. Arruda , 30, of Blackrock Road in Coventry, was a little boy, he had loved cars and trucks. He collected model cars, horded stacks of car magazines and worked in the pit crew for friends racing at Seekonk Speedway.
In the backyard of the house he shared with his mother and grandmother, he kept a white Ford Ranger that he equipped with big monster-truck tires. His "baby" was an old ugly brown Pontiac that he got as a 16-year-old and only sold last year.
And about seven years ago, Mr. Arruda got a job as a truck driver for D & N Equipment, of Johnston. "That really made him happy," says his mother, Patricia Arruda .
Keith Danna, of Coventry, met Mr. Arruda at the old Bess Eaton doughnut shop on Tiogue Avenue, where "car guys" used to hang out. Mr. Arruda was known for his "bumblebee car" a yellow and black Dodge Aspen.
"He's great with kids and dogs," Danna said. "He was just a good guy. Not too many people don't know him. He's got more friends than you can believe."
Mr. Arruda was talkative and generous. He was strong, too. He once broke his ankle getting out of his truck and kept walking, even showing up to work the next day when others told him to take it easy.
"He'd see people broken down on the side of the road and he'd stop," Patricia Arruda said. "I told him, 'You're crazy in this day and age to stop.' He'd say, 'Ma, don't worry about it.' He always wanted to help."
Even on the night he died, Mr. Arruda thought of others. Patricia Arruda said she heard from people who were at The Station that her son made it out of the club, but went back inside to help people escape.
Mr. Arruda 's other passion was music. His favorite was Pink Floyd, and he also liked '80s rock bands. He was a regular at The Station and was friendly with an ACDC tribute band that played there.
"He had a sad side, too," Patricia Arruda said. "Besides driving the truck, I don't think he really ever found the happiness he wanted. He had gone through a bad time and was just starting to act like himself."
Mr. Arruda 's grandfather died two months ago almost to the day of his death. Mr. Arruda will be buried next to his grandfather.
Born in Warwick, the only child of Patricia E. (Dugdale) Arruda , Mr. Arruda had lived in Scituate before moving to Coventry 10 years ago. He was a graduate of Scituate High School, Class of 1990, and the New England Tractor Trailer School in 1995. He was a member of the Phenix Sportsmen's Club. He enjoyed all motor sports.
Besides his mother, he leaves his maternal grandmother, Eva M. (Giroux) Dugdale, of Coventry; and two uncles, David C. Dugdale of Scituate and Robert W. Dugdale of Coventry; and two cousins. He was the grandson of the late Chester W. Dugdale and Manuel and Iola (Holbrook) Arruda .
A committal service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery Chapel, Hill Street.
- Meaghan Wims
Providence Journal (RI) - February 26, 2003
Section: Obituaries
ARRUDA , Christopher G. February 21, 2003. Son of Patricia E. (Dugdale) Arruda . Maternal Grandson of Eva M. (Giroux) Dugdale and the late Chester W. Dugdale. Paternal grandson of the late Manuel and Iola (Holbrook) Arruda . Nephew of David C. and Robert W. Dugdale. Cousin of Darlene Buxton and Steven Dugdale. Residence Blackrock Rd., Coventry. Committal Service Friday 10 a.m. SS Peter & Paul Cemetery Chapel, Hill St., Coventry. Relatives and friends invited. Calling hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. in the Robert A. Iannotti & Son's Funeral Home, 415 Washington St, Rt 117 Coventry.
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