Tuesday, November 02, 2021
Arthur L. Mansolillo, DDS, 88, of Warwick, died peacefully at home on Sunday, October 31, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Lorraine (Chiello) Mansolillo’s beloved husband was born in Providence on November 15, 1932. RI to the late Joseph F. Sr. and Amelia I. DiZoglio Mansolillo.
He graduated from Classical High School, Providence College, and Georgetown University Dental School. After graduating from Georgetown, Arthur joined the U.S. Air Force, where he was selected as one of six for a surgical internship at Walter Reed Hospital under the Army Dental Corps Major General and Assistant Surgeon General Robert Bruce Shira, whom he was named as one of them looked at the most brilliant minds he had met. He cherished this period and spoke often of the impact it had on his skills as a dentist. After his internship, he worked as an Air Force Flight Surgeon (SAC) and Oral Surgeon at Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
In 1960 he began his illustrious career in dentistry and opened his private dental practice in Johnston, RI. During his sixty years of practice, he has touched the lives of tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders. In addition to his commitment to his patients, he served on the surgical staff at Rhode Island Hospital from 1960 to 1998 and as the assistant director of the Samuels Dental Center from 1962 to 1998. In 1978 he became director of the Dental Internship Program at RI Hospital, where he served hundreds of young dentists. He also served as the staff dentist for Johnston Public Schools and the Rhode Island Hemophilia Foundation.
He was a lifelong member of the Rhode Island Dental Society, the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Oral Medicine, the American Society of Dentistry of Children, and the American Association of Hospital Dentists.
Most notably, Arthur was the director of the Rhode Island Hospital program for disabled children for nearly forty years. This was the first hospital program for disabled children in the United States and, due to its success, became the model for two other programs, one at the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, PA and another at the Long Island Jewish Hospital. In 1987 Arthur received the eighth annual Merit and Achievement Award from the Silver Lake Annex Community Center, a community he called home through his college years.
Arthur’s love, pride, and devotion to the family were limitless. Besides Lorraine, his 64-year-old wife and the light of his life, Arthur leaves his three children behind; Lori Santopietro (Steven) from Warwick, A. Scott Mansolillo, Esq. (Marie) from Fairfield, Connecticut; Tracy Mansolillo Perry from Warwick; six beloved grandchildren Michael Santopietro, Esq., Victoria Merrill (Greg), Dr. Ariana Santopietro, Julia Mansolillo, Arthur John (AJ) Mansolillo, and Jack Perry; Sister-in-law Olga Chiello McEnaney; beloved nieces Amy Quigley, Cheryl McEnaney; Nephew of the late Dr. Joseph L. Mansolillo, L. Randall (Randy) McEnaney, EJ (Terry) McEnaney III, Esq .; Great-nephews and many relatives and friends. Arthur was previously deceased by his brother Joseph F. Mansolillo Jr. and sister Eleanor A. (Mansolillo) D’Uva.
Arthur’s other loved ones were the Providence College Friars, season ticket holders for more than 25 years, the New York Yankees, and golfing at the Metacomet Country Club, of which he was a member for fifty years. He and Lorraine enjoyed golf vacations in Arizona, Florida and across New England, particularly at the Samoset Resort in Rockland, Maine. There he and Lorraine enjoyed precious memories with the whole family every summer from 1988 to 2016. Last but not least, Arthur loved his job and his patients, many of whom became lifelong friends. In his sixty years of practice, he has treated three generations of families.
Arthur was known for his warmth, kindness, compassion, and gentle manner. He was a respected gentleman – humble, loyal, and direct. He will miss everyone who knew him forever, but his spirit will live forever in our hearts.
Christian burial mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 11 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church, 360 Cowesett Road, Warwick.
The funeral will be private.
Due to COVID-19, face masks are requested.
We respectfully dispense with office hours.
Funeral provision is entrusted to the Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick.
In lieu of flowers, gifts to commemorate the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, are most welcome.