Community Corner

Al DeSimone Passes Away

Foxborough resident and founder of the Mansfield Gridiron Club passes away.

I never saw Al DeSimone bleed, but I really didn’t have to.

I knew the color of his blood was not red.

Instead, Mansfield Hornet green went right through his veins.

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But, blood wasn’t the only thing he gave to the Hornets.

There was also a ton of sweat, passion, dedication and most of, love.

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Al, who died Saturday, May 21 after being ill the last few years, had a love for Mansfield football, its history and the people that couldn’t and won’t ever be equaled.

With the Hornets, he fretted about making sure everything was right, especially the annual banquet, which was lovingly referred to as “Al’s party for 300 of his closest friends.”

Al was in his glory that night, seeing the old-timers inducted into the hall of fame or the new captains being introduced.

With the old-timers, it was a chance to tell the tales of lore. Al loved doing the research for the hall of famers.

The cellar of his home in Foxborough showed these love. All over the place, there was old yearbooks, photos, game story clippings and assorted other memorabilia.

People gave and Al collected.

“I’ve got so much stuff here what I’m going to do with it,” he would say. “If only I had an assistant.”

If he had, that person would have spent their time hearing stories about Mansfield, the former players and coaches and the current team.

I know, because for a brief period I felt like Al's assistant.

A few years back, I did a special section for the Foxboro Reporter and the Sun Chronicle in 2005 about the 75th anniversary of the Mansfield-Foxborough Thanksgiving Day.

Of course, Al was excited about this project and we spent what seemed to be a week in his basement, going over all the old stories. 

In the whole time, that was the best part of the experience.

When it came off the presses in Attleboro, I drove to Al’s house to give him an advanced copy.

Al really didn't need to read it. He had lived it.

Thanksgiving Day and the entire week was always special for Al, because he heard it from both sides.

If Foxborough won, he would be teased all year long.

Al always made like he was upset, but mostly he would just laugh and jokingly threaten the person who said it.

You always knew Al was going to give you the “business” for the five or 10 minutes, followed by a bear hug, a big laugh and smile.

He loved life, loved his family and friends, loved being an Italian and loved Mansfield.

Al was also a volunteer assistant coach for the football team, doing whatever was asked of him. Even in the last few years, when he couldn’t roam the sidelines anymore, he sat in his chair, writing down notes, in between being the football team’s official game day greeter.

He would be hugged, kissed on the checks, while dishing out comments to the visitors. Everyone left with a smile on their face.

With Al, it is easy to have a lot of memories, both professionally and personally.

One, though, stands out.

Mansfield was playing Swampscott in the Super Bowl back in 1996, at Boston University. The Hornets won and claimed the No. 1 team in the state honors.

In all of the madness and mayhem, Al was being swept across the field with a big smile on his face.

“Hey, Desi, are you going to retire now?” asked a fan.

“No way,” Al shouted back. “I’m never going to retire.”

He did slow down, but even at the time of his death, he was still the Mansfield Gridiron Club president.

After all when you bled green, there was no better place to be.


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