Louis Alfonso Obituary

North Kingstown, R.I. - Louis "Lou" Edward Alfonso, Ph.D. of North Kingstown, RI and Old Lyme, died peacefully at age 87, Feb. 7, 2025. He was the dear husband of Elizabeth (Davis) Alfonso; and devoted father of Timothy and his wife Brianna. Lou was born in Hartford, to parents, Mario P. and Geraldine A. (Tasillo) Alfonso. He and his brother, Gerald, were raised in Manchester.

He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Alfonso was a Professor Emeritus in the Foundations of Education Department at Rhode Island College. Involvement in the academic community included his role as a former president of the International Berkley Society, member of the American Philosophical Association, assistant director of the Urban Education Center, inductee into Phi Delta Kappa honor society, and visiting professor at Trinity College, Dublin.

His interests were wide ranging: watercolor painting, travelling, sailing, golfing, piloting, holding a life membership in Lincoln Council Knights of Columbus, and serving on the building committee of Lincoln Public Library. He was a sixth degree and honorary seventh degree black belt in Taekwondo and recognized by the Kukkiwon world headquarters as a grandmaster.

Also surviving him are his sister-in-law Diane Alfonso; nephews, Gerald and Scott Alfonso; and grandnephew Steven Alfonso. He was appreciative of the strong support of his wife's family.

Lou was fiercely proud of his Italian heritage and maintained close family ties with his cousins: Luciana Alfonso of Gavi, Carlo Alfonso and Salvatore LaRosa of Genoa, and Andrea Fasciolo of Casteggio.

A visitation was held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 in Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home of Patrick Quinn Funerals and Cremations, 825 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 65 3rd Street, East Greenwich. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Greenwich. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Our Lady of Mercy Outreach Program, 65 3rd Street, East Greenwich, RI 02818.