Americo “Rico” Mallozzi

Americo “Rico” Mallozzi, prominent architect and Professor Emeritus of the Roger Williams University School of Architecture, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2026, at the age of 93, with his family by his side.

Rico was born during the height of the Great Depression on September 10, 1932. He was the son of the late Giovanni and Michelina (Perse) Mallozzi, who immigrated to the United States, arriving at Ellis Island from S. Apollinare, Italy. Rico’s early years were spent in the Italian section of Providence known as Federal Hill. Growing up, he worked hard peeling potatoes, selling newspapers, shining shoes, and working as a pin boy at a local bowling alley. By the age of 12, he was a busboy at the famous Old Canteen Restaurant. He never forgot the first pair of Florsheim shoes he bought with his own money. Throughout his life, Rico was known for his good taste in clothes and impeccable dress.

In eighth grade, Rico won a scholarship to attend Saturday art classes at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and by ninth grade he knew he wanted to be an architect. Rico had immense curiosity. While his school buddies were talking about girls, Rico was telling them stories about the Roman Empire and dreaming of traveling the world.

After graduating from Mount Pleasant High School, Rico attended the YMCA Institute, where he received an associate degree in engineering. In 1952, he was accepted into RISD’s five-year architecture program, earning a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. While at RISD, he completed several summer internships in Philadelphia and New York City. At his RISD graduation ceremony, Rico was awarded the Alpha Chi Medal, a prestigious honor given to one graduating student who demonstrates exceptional leadership, dedicated service, and professional promise. It was also at RISD that Rico met his future wife, Evelyn D’Iorio, who was working as secretary to the Chairman of Planning.

The year 1956 was especially significant for Rico. That year he graduated from RISD, married Evelyn two weeks later, drove cross-country to California for their honeymoon, and was awarded a year-long Fulbright Scholarship to study architecture at the University of Rome. During his Fulbright, he had the opportunity to learn from renowned architects Bruno Zevi, Pier Luigi Nervi, Gio Ponti, and Franco Albini.

Upon returning from Italy, Rico worked for several local architectural firms and, in 1961, joined the prominent Providence-based firm Robinson, Green and Beretta (RGB). True to his independent spirit, Rico left RGB in 1965 and formed a partnership with his cousin, Mallozzi Associates, serving as president from 1968 to 1973 following the firm’s incorporation. In 1974, he established his own practice, Americo Mallozzi & Associates. He and several close associates also formed a joint venture known as Americo Mallozzi / Koulbanis Brandreth Associates, Associated Architects, with offices in Providence and New York City.

As an architect, Rico left an indelible mark on the Rhode Island landscape. His portfolio included numerous residences, churches, sports arenas, and office buildings. Among his most notable projects were the Weybosset Street Historic Comfort Station in Providence, Schneider Arena on the campus of Providence College, the Hart Recreation Center at the College of the Holy Cross (a joint venture with Koulbanis Brandreth Associates), and One Smith Hill Office Building in Providence. Rico’s architectural renderings were meticulous, and he often quoted Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: “God is in the details.” Additionally, he served as the resident architect for the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) for over 20 years, overseeing several important renovation projects that enhanced the patron experience. He was like family to the PPAC management team, a relationship Rico deeply cherished.

Rico was an active member of the American Institute of Architects and the Rhode Island Chapter of the AIA, serving as chapter president in 1972 and 1973. He was a registered architect in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, and served as Chairman of the Housing Board of Review for the City of Providence from 1991 to 2006. Rico loved studying architecture wherever he traveled and photographed hundreds of buildings over the years. He never truly retired, continuing to work on projects well into his 80s.

One of Rico’s most rewarding experiences was the 24 years he spent teaching architecture at Roger Williams University. A born teacher, he motivated students to achieve beyond what they or others thought possible. He often organized field trips to New York City to teach students about construction materials used in some of the city’s most impressive buildings. Throughout his teaching career, Rico hired many former students into his office. Characteristically, he chose not to hire only star students, but those who needed further professional development and support.

While at the university, Rico was instrumental in transforming the architectural technology program into the first accredited School of Architecture within a liberal arts college in the United States. At the request of university administration, he also spent two semesters revitalizing the study abroad program in Rome, Italy.

Rico was the recipient of the Dr. Mark Gould Award for commitment to student learning. In her nomination letter, his dear colleague Roseann Evans wrote, “He was one of the most popular and loved professors in the school. He was dynamic. He was passionate. He was funny. He conveyed to the students his immense love for architecture. There are many excellent architects in New England and throughout the country who graduated from the Roger Williams University School of Architecture who were inspired to aim for excellence by Rico.” In 2006, Rico was appointed Professor Emeritus.

Rico was a great storyteller and deeply proud of his Italian heritage. He often shared animated stories about growing up in Federal Hill and about his parents and mother-in-law, whom he greatly admired. He was particularly proud of his father, who served during World War I in the Arditi, an elite Italian commando unit known for its bravery.

Rico idolized Joe DiMaggio and Frank Sinatra. When he was 16, his dear friend Mario took him to Fenway Park, where that day Joe DiMaggio hit a grand slam in the 11th inning, lifting the Yankees to victory. Rico’s favorite song was Sinatra’s 1962 rendition of “Stardust.”

Embracing life fully, Rico had many interests, including travel, photography, sailing, golfing (despite his double-digit handicap), and skiing, which he took up at the age of 55. One of his cherished memories was skiing the Dolomites during a trip to Cortina, Italy. He also enjoyed horse racing with his son and their annual trips to Saratoga Racetrack. His favorite racehorse was the great filly Ruffian, whom Rico loved to remind everyone was never behind in a race.

Rico disliked the word “can’t,” preferring instead to say, “We can pull this off.” He often said the three most important qualities in life were “read, read, read,” “write, write, write,” and “travel, travel, travel.”

From humble beginnings, Rico lived an extraordinary life, touching many people along the way. Emanuel James Rohn, the renowned American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker, once said, “All good people must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to the next level.” Rico certainly accomplished this during his lifetime.

Rico is survived by his children, Diane Toher and her husband Stephen of Providence, Gian Mallozzi of Providence, and Selene Smerling of Irvington, New York. He also leaves six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Evelyn. Rico was the brother of the late Joseph Mallozzi and a sister who died shortly after birth.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 19, at 9:00 a.m. from Maceroni Funeral Home, 1381 Smith Street, North Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine Church, 639 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Providence. Burial will follow at Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, February 18, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rico’s memory may be made to the Cummings School of Architecture Dean’s Fund at Roger Williams University at www.rwu.edu/give or by mail to Roger Williams University, Office of Advancement, 1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809.