Beloved La Salle Academy Teacher Roberto DiMascio Passes, School Community Mourns
In Providence, Rhode Island, at La Salle Academy (612 Academy Avenue), the school community is reeling from the sudden and tragic passing of Mr. Roberto DiMascio, a dedicated World Languages teacher and moderator of the Italian Club. His life’s work touched students, alumni, and faculty alike, and now his absence leaves a deep and painful void across the campus.
Mr. DiMascio taught in the World Languages department for fourteen years, shaping young minds with both proficiency in Italian and a broader love of culture and community. (Instagram) He was widely recognized for his kindness, his upbeat sense of humor, and his unwavering positive presence in every classroom and club meeting. In 2024 he was honored with the school’s “Heart and Soul” Award — a testament to his consistently compassionate leadership and care for students. (Facebook)
Friends and colleagues recall Roberto as more than a teacher: he was a mentor, a friend, a warm voice in the hallway who always had time for one more question, one more joke, one more encouragement. He moderated the Italian Club, organizing cultural events, language immersion activities, and often spearheading student trips or projects that brought the language to life. The club became a vibrant part of the school’s identity under his stewardship.
The announcement of Mr. DiMascio’s passing came via the La Salle Academy social-media page:
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved community member, Roberto DiMascio. Roberto taught World Languages at La Salle for 14 years and served as moderator of the Italian Club.” (Instagram)
On campus, many students and teachers gathered in the chapel and at the flag-pole for impromptu moments of reflection, sharing memories of his laughter, his steady encouragement, his readiness to lend a hand. One student told the yearbook staff: “He made Italian class feel like a conversation between friends, not tests and drills.” Another colleague said: “He showed up every day with energy and hope, even when life outside the classroom was hard. His presence made this place better.”
Administration at the school issued a statement expressing their deep sorrow and commitment to supporting students:
“We mourn the loss of Roberto DiMascio — a teacher whose laughter, kindness, cultural curiosity, and dedication defined his work here. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, his students, and his colleagues.”
Practical steps have begun: grief counselors are available, teachers are holding sessions to help students process the shock, and plans are underway for a memorial service to honor Mr. DiMascio’s life and legacy. Many alumni have reached out, offering stories of how he helped them beyond the classroom: editing essays, recommending volunteer placements, opening doors to study abroad in Italy, or simply listening when they needed someone.
In the coming days the Italian Club and the World Languages department will host events in his memory. Students have proposed dedicating the club’s “La Festa Italiana” next year to Roberto, wearing ribbons, holding a moment of silence, and presenting a scholarship in his name for students pursuing language study or cultural exchange.
While the specifics of his passing have not been disclosed publicly out of respect for his and his family’s privacy, the effect of his loss is very real. One junior said, “When I heard, the first thought I had was: who will greet us now in the hall with that big grin and say ‘Buongiorno!’?”
As the La Salle Academy community mourns, the memory of Roberto DiMascio stands as a reminder of the profound influence one caring educator can have. His legacy of kindness, cultural passion, and student-first teaching will continue to ripple through the halls, the clubs, and the lives of all who knew him.
Students, alumni, parents, and faculty alike now face the difficult task of saying goodbye to a cherished mentor. Yet in remembering Roberto’s spirit, they also reaffirm the values he embodied: service, joy, and the unshakable belief in the power of education to bring people together.
Our deepest condolences go out to the DiMascio family, to Roberto’s friends and colleagues, and to the countless students whose lives he enriched. May his memory be a blessing and an inspiration for years to come.
