December 03, 2020
Remembering Alfred Mansuetti, a Providence College security officer for 42 years
By Vicki-Ann Downing
I can still remember the day I met you in Slavin 211. You reported for work at 11 p.m. sharp, wearing your V-neck sweater, gold chains, blue jeans, and black-pointed shoes with leather soles. Peter Garofalo introduced me to the new officer employed by Providence College and I was assigned to train you. But little did I realize that day that we would become friends for the rest of our lives on this earth.
Lt. David D. Marshall, senior shift supervisor in the Office of Public Safety, wrote those words to honor his longtime friend and colleague, Officer Alfred Mansuetti, Jr., who died Nov. 11, 2020, after a brief illness. Officer Mansuetti had worked at PC since Oct. 23, 1978. The College recognized his contributions during a Service Awards Dinner in April 2019.
Through his four decades at PC, Officer Mansuetti befriended countless students, many of whom married and sent their children to the College, where they became his friends as well. Some knew him by the nickname “Al,” but his closest friends called him “Freddy.”
“Freddy was a go-to guy, always there when needed,” said Deputy Chief of Public Safety Eric L. Croce. “His kindness and compassion for others was an example for all officers to follow.”
Officer Mansuetti was the third person hired when PC established its own security office in 1978. He was 22 years old. Until that time, the College had used a private firm to provide security. Marshall, who worked for the private firm while attending nearby La Salle Academy, also was hired by PC and was Officer Mansuetti’s supervisor throughout his career.
On the day they met, “I remember thinking, ‘This guy’s not going to make it with those shoes,’” Marshall said. “He learned.”
In those days, there were fewer than 10 officers. Today the department has 24. They worked out of an office in Slavin Center, the current location of the Center for Career Education and Professional Development. Having no vehicles, they patrolled campus on foot, carrying radios that were “a foot high” strapped to their belts.
The former Chapin Hospital property on the east side of campus, acquired by the College in 1974, was primarily an enormous parking lot for faculty, staff, and students. The officers spent much of their time chasing neighborhood youths away from the vehicles and tracking down stolen stereos and car parts, Marshall said.
There was no worry about enforcing drinking laws because the legal age in Rhode Island was not raised to 21 until 1984.
The young officers, including Officer Mansuetti, got to know students in pickup basketball games, “community policing before its time,” Marshall said.
As the crime rate grew and guns became more prevalent in the city, the security office became more professional as well. Officer Mansuetti was active in the formation of the officers’ union in 1986 and became its steward and vice president. Marshall remained in management, but it never affected their friendship.
In their off hours they played together on a softball team. Officer Mansuetti was the “second pitcher” for Marmac Cleaners, but always gave it his full effort, Marshall said.
“We shared many good times,” Marshall said. “We talked about our girlfriends, who later became our wives, and shared the experience of becoming dads at 22 years of age. One thing is for certain, Freddy loved his wife and children, and later on his grandchildren. There wasn’t a day that went by when he didn’t mention one of his daughters and how proud he was to be their dad.”
Officer Mansuetti was a creature of habit. He rose early every day at his home off Branch Avenue in Providence. On his way to work, he stopped by the Shell station at River Avenue and Admiral Street to chat with the owner. He’d arrive at PC early, around 5:45 a.m., to have a coffee with colleagues before beginning his shift.
“He enjoyed his job immensely,” Marshall said. “It’s not hard to come to work here because it’s an enjoyable job 99 percent of the time. And if you’re coming to work happy, working with kids makes it a little bit easier.”
Always willing to support a colleague, Officer Mansuetti was ready with his time, offering to move furniture or loan cash or listen in times of difficulty.
His fellow safety officers served as an honor guard at his funeral Mass in the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in North Providence, joined by representatives from the Providence, North Providence, and Rhode Island state police. The Mass was concelebrated by College President Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. ’78 & ’82G, and Rev. James Cuddy, O.P. ’98, vice president for mission and ministry.
Officer Mansuetti is survived by his wife, Cheryl (Mancini) Mansuetti; his daughters, Kimba Mansuetti, a dispatcher in the PC Office of Public Safety, and Ciara Mansuetti; a son-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter.
