Alvin F. Mann

Alvin F. “Coach Al” Mann, aged 93, formerly of Larchmont Rd, Warwick, passed away February 15, 2025. He was the husband of the late Patricia Ann (Lucas) Mann who passed away on October 11, 2004. They were married in St. Michael’s Parish, Providence, RI on April 30, 1955, and were happily married for over 49 years. Al was born on January 28, 1932, the son of the late Leroy W. and Dorothy E. (Tourtellott) Mann.

Al is survived by four children, Brenda M. Juhnowski and her husband John, of Warwick; Kevin M. and his wife Deanna (Dodge) Mann, of East Greenwich; Maureen A. King and her husband Donald, of Coventry; and Brian T. and his wife Kristin (Spada) Mann of Narragansett. He is also the father of the late Kathleen A. McNeilis whose husband, William has also passed away.

Al has eight grandchildren – Jayson and Mathew Juhnowski; Kevin, Chris and Kyle Mann; Donald Jr, Megan and Andrew King. He also has thirteen great grandchildren – Jonathon and Grace Juhnowski; Michael and Emma Juhnowski; Scarlet Mann; Oakley Rose Mann: Levi and Hudson Mann; Hadley King; Breonna and Mason Everett, Norah and Chloe King.

A graduate of La Salle Academy, Al also attended URI, UNM and Johnson and Wales University, where he received his bachelor’s degree using his GI Bill. He was a member of St. Gregory the Great church, serving as a Eucharistic minister. An avid golfer, Al served as the president of the Goddard Park Senior Golf League for three years. As a part of the St. Gregory’s Community Athletic Baseball program, Al served as a coach, manager, commissioner and umpire for over 27 years. He managed the CYO 13–16-year-old fast pitch softball league for over 3 years. During this time, with the help of Amedeo Merrolla and the National Guard he was able to construct a second ball field and snack bar, which his wife ran for several years. He also served at the Warwick Continental Litle League for over 31 years, as a coach, manager and executive board member. He also umpired for the Pawtuxet Valley Umpires Association and was an avid fan of the New York Giants football team.

Al served in the United States Air Force, 8th Air Force SAC under General Curtis Lemay during the Korean War, receiving an honorable discharge upon completion of 4 years active and 4 years of inactive service. He played hockey at URI and coached in the Providence Youth Hockey League under Lou Lamoriello; he also played baseball, as a catcher, for the USAF while stationed at Albuquerque, NM. He played and coached football for the Mansion Mohawks and, he also played catcher for multiple teams in the Providence Industrial Fast Pitch Softball League.

Al dedicated his life to coaching, he coached baseball for 58 years, coaching boys aged 7-15, girls’ softball aged 12-16 and ladies’ softball aged 17-20. His teams won numerous district titles, several state titles and they also did their fair share of losing.

Al worked at the Providence Journal for 49 years, where he held many positions including mopping floors in the pressroom and flyboy before working his way up to apprentice. He became a member of the International Newspaper Printing Pressman’s and Assistance Union of North America Local 12 where he served as recording secretary, journeyman pressman, chapel secretary, shop steward and supervisor, culminating as superintendent of the press room at the new Kinsley Avenue plant, where he, along with the men and women of the Providence Journal, multiple vendors and German technicians, were able to introduce and implement a new German based computerized water-based ink press. Upon retirement, he remained in a consulting position to train his successor and to add more color position for the advertisement and news department.

Al and his family would like to thank all of those who helped him at the Providence Journal.

Al would also like to thank the players that he coached and everyone that he worked with in youth sports through the years. He got great pleasure from his involvement and made many lasting friendships with his baseball family.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with his funeral on Friday, February 21, 2025 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centerville Rd, Warwick followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Gregory the Great Church, 360 Cowesett Rd, Warwick. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the RI Veterans’ Cemetery, Exeter, RI.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Warwick Continental Little League, P.O. Box 7293, Warwick, RI 02887 or to St. Gregory’s Community Athletics Baseball Programs, 360 Cowesett Rd, Warwick, RI 02886.