Name: Visitation for Dr. Americo W. Petrocelli
Start: 2018-08-14T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-08-14T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly

Dr. Americo W. Petrocelli passed away peacefully on August 12, 2018 at the age of 87. Born in Providence, R.I., he was the son of the late John and Concetta Petrocelli. His wife Doris predeceased him in 2014.

Americo will be lovingly remembered by his children and their spouses, Thayer Dietrick, Richard and Susan Petrocelli, Carol-Lynn and Robin Martell, Robert and Carla Petrocelli, along with his grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He will also be missed by his sister-in-law Claire McParlin.

Americo received a Bachelors degree from Providence College in 1954. He then went on to receive a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Rhode Island in 1960. During the cold war years he lead numerous projects at Electric Boat including (then) classified work for the Central Intelligence Agency. He was recruited to be president of the Yardney Electric Company helping to engineer its financial turn around. In 1977 he took a break from corporate life and became Vice President of Business and Finance at the University of Rhode Island. In 1988 he was appointed as the Commissioner for Higher Education for the State of Rhode Island, which led to the development of the RI Children's Crusade for Higher Education now named The College Crusade of RI. In June of 1996 he joined Robert and Richard on the board of Heartlab, Inc., and in 2007 assisted his sons with the formation of their second company GreenBytes. In July 2014, Americo moved to StoneRidge in Mystic, CT, where he wrote several books and published poems while also forming the Mystic Geriatrics Institute.

Visiting hours will be in Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce Street, Westerly, R.I., on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at 11:30 a.m., in the Funeral Home. Burial will follow in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Westerly.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Avalon Health Center at StoneRidge and Dr. Michael Feltes for the compassionate care that he received.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The College Crusade of RI, 134 Thurbers Avenue, Providence, R.I. 02905 or the charity of your choice. https://thecollegecrusade.networkforgood.com

For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Westerly Sun on Aug. 14, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Americo Petrocelli

Sponsored by Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly.

9 Entries

August 16, 2018

May he rest in peace and may his family find comfort.

Suzanne S

August 14, 2018

My heartfelt condolences go out to the Petrocelli and Martell families. What a great man who accomplished so much. May he rest in God's hands, free from suffering.

Michael Smith

August 14, 2018

It was a privilege for me to work with Dr. Petrocelli from 1990-1995 while he served as Rhode Island Commissioner of Higher Education. No one word can describe him. He was a scientist, engineer, teacher, philosopher, poet, futurist, humorist, economist, mentor, problem-solver, friend, and leader. He was thoroughly devoted to his family and to his community -- which he saw as his extended family. Most of all, he was a humanitarian who leaves a legacy that few can match. Thank you, Rick, for everything.

Isaac Salazar

August 14, 2018

Rick thanks for welcoming me into your space.
The time was short but the message everlasting.And oh,Rick Rick tell them about Super bowl 51 Tell them Tell them who you were Americo Tell them Tell them about Feb.5th 2017 Tell them Tell them I Love You

Isaac Salazar

August 14, 2018

"Gently they go,the beautiful,the tender,the kind;Quietly they go,the intelligent,the witty,the brave.I know.But I do not approve.And I am not resigned."Rick Rick tell them about Feb.5th,2017 Patriots vs Falcon
Super bowl 51.Like you, never quit.Thank you for welcoming me.But I do not approve and I am not resigned.Love you and may you rest in peace.

August 14, 2018

My condolences to his family. He was a legend at URI and I enjoyed working with him and have missed him since he left. John F. Vanner, Associate Director of Athletics.

August 13, 2018

❤❤

Kimberly Martell

August 13, 2018

A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me.
Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.
Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your life, don't worry about falls
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we're together again.
- Author Unknown
Let your legacy live on my dearest grandpa