Condolence: I knew "Rick" from his days at URI and as Commissioner. He was at all times a terrific person to know and work with. He was open, knowledgeable, friendly, and always ready with a good laugh, pipe in hand! RIP Rick.

Condolence: My sincere condolences to all the family. We here at StoneRidge miss 'Rico a great deal too. He always had a smile when I encountered him either in hallways, meetings, or even when in discomfort at Avalon. What a guy! We were blessed by his life among us. God bless you all. Joan

Condolence: To the family:
We were very sorry to hear of the passing of your father/grandfather.
He had a remarkable life which we are sure was an inspiration to many.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Michele and Jerry Danish

Condolence: My apologise for not being able to make the services. I enjoyed the time I spent with Dr P at Heartab and his legacy is not only the incredible family he was the patriarch of, but the incredible ventures, causes and organizations he was head of and associated with. The stories of his life are the stuff of legend.
My sincere condolences to the Petrocelli and Martell families, may your memories provide you some solace.

Condolence: To the family,
Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Sincerely,
Vincent D'Adamo

Condolence: To the Family of Ric Petrocelli;
I met RIc in 1977 just after he came on board at the University. He hired me to to be his Director of Physical Plant as a 32 year old engineer coming out of Electric Boat. He later revised the organization and asked me to run the Capital Projects operation. I had never met anyone like him before nor since. He was smart, hard working, creative and the right mix of listening, instructing and directing. He was mentor to me and others while he was at the University and when he moved to the Office in Higher Ed. There have been many Vice Presidents but none quite like him. I guess we were both Federal Hill Kids so we understood John O Pastore's lined about "coming from humble . beginnings ". I remember his story that he told us a number of times about the retired guy who was called back to help because he know how to fix a particular old machine. He looked at the machine and wacked it with a hammer and it worked. He sent is a bill for $100. The owner questioned the bill and asked him for a breakdown of the bill detail. The retired guy wrote 1) hitting machine with hammer $1 2)Knowing where to hit the machine $99. I remember that ever present pipe and the ashes all over his desk and him with a few burn holes in his shirt and $1 tie. God speed Ric. You always knew where to wack the machine. I am still at the UNiversity doing the job as you would have wanted.
Paul M. DePace

Condolence: Americo Petrocelli
A Diamond in the Rough

As Director of the URI Administrative Computer Center, I reported to Rick Petrocelli,VP for Business and Finance at URI. I learned a lot from a boss who never seemed to be teaching. He didn’t look like a university executive. When he walked into a room you might take him for the caterer but he made that his strength. He paid attention. He gave you respect whoever you were. So,when he started talking, he had your attention, had your respect. In his youth on Federal Hill he earned a PHD in chemistry-the chemistry of life. He went on to earn a PHD in chemistry from Providence College. He headed Yardney, a company that made batteries for submarines. He was the first RI Commissioner of Higher Education. He founded the RI Children’s Crusade that provides scholarships for disadvantaged children. I worked with him to install the first Children’s Crusade Data System. He got things done.
He knew about power. He knew about leadership. The thing was, he did it his way. He was the same person, whether he was with the governor or with a janitor. He wasted no energy putting on a work face. He bragged whenever he wore a tie that cost less than a buck. He seldom spent time at his staff meetings checking on our projects, on our ups and downs. Instead, he brought the outside world back to us, helped us see that we were part of a larger picture. He used to tell me, “John, if I get to know a lot about your job, you’re in trouble… Just tell me what you need to get it done.”
He often had a colorful way to make a point. He once told us that believing is the best revenge. Then explained, “When someone comes into my office to complain about some incompetent, evil coworker, I ask for the bad guy’s phone number and pick up the phone. The complainer almost always asks “what are you doing?” I’m going to fire the SOB. ‘Oh! No! No! No! Don’t do that!’
Once when we were dealing with a nasty problem someone suggested we bring the University lawyer in. Rick responded “We got lawyers to keep us out of jail, not to tell us how to run the place. First, figure out what you want to do, then call the lawyer.” He once sent his Yardney management team to the first “God Father” film to study management principles.

So what did I learn from this boss/teacher?
• Always be yourself.
• Make your weaknesses your strength.
• (and my corollary) Don’t let your strength become your weakness.
• Study people and human nature.
• Remember who’s in charge and who has a stake.
• Start with respect.
• Don’t micromanage.
• Paint the big picture.
• Get it done.

John Barry

Condolence: My deep sympathy and condolences to all Dr. Petrocelli's family and loved ones. His paths and mine crossed several times during my career, and his thoughtfulness, his compassion, his wisdom, and his energy were an inspiration to & an aspiration to me. Our loss is heaven's gain.

Condolence: I followed in Dr. Rico footsteps at Providence College and URI also majoring in Chemistry. Our paths crossed many years ago. Always enjoyed his company, a kind and friendly man. My condolences to his family.

Condolence: Rich, My sincere sympathy for the passing of your father. I remember
that my parents John and Fannie(Perrone) Lemme always spike of him in the highest regard.