Imagine what the late Albert Micheletti would have thought had he known what was planned for the start of his funeral procession from the Woodlawn Funeral Home in Cranston.

Odds are Mr. Micheletti, who passed away Dec. 2 at the age of 92, would have been smiling from ear-to-ear. The outpouring of affection during his wake and funeral service was astounding.

“I still can’t believe they shut down Route 95 and 195 to the Wampanoag Trail for my dad’s funeral procession,” said a teary-eyed Albert Micheletti, Jr., who was astounded by the cooperation and respect given his father on the morning of Dec. 5 by police officers from several communities on this saddest of days for the Micheetti family. “I’m still scratching my head in disbelief.”

At the time of his death, Albert resided on Washington Road in Barrington and together with his late wife, Marie, were parishioners of St. Luke’s Church.

When Marie died this past Jan. 12, a piece of him went with her.
“She was everything to me,” Albert proclaimed at that time. “She was the love of my life.”

Known far and wide for his engaging smile and outgoing personality, Al Micheletti had more friends than anyone could ever imagine. Born and brought up in Cranston, he gained his notoriety in the food service business as a renowned chef with a number of restaurants he helped make famous, primarily in Warren and Bristol. He helped start Micheletti’s Restaurant on Metacom Avenue in Warren during the late 1960s and ’70s, then took over the Castle Restaurant on Poppasquash Road in Bristol, once again displaying his enormous Italian style cooking talents.

“I have many memories of the Micheletti family from my days of working in their restaurant as a busgirl at 14 years old,” recalled Donna Murphy McKenna. “It was my first official job, and back in the early 70s their restaurant on Metacom Avenue in Warren had been newly renovated. To me, it was the epitome of fine dining…beautifully patterned blue carpeting in the dining rooms, soft lighting and leather circular booths where friends and family could gather, amber colored water glasses and ashtrays. Mr. Micheletti spent most of his hours managing The Castle at that time while Mrs. Micheletti was managing Micheletti’s. I admired them both for the hard work and long hours they devoted to their businesses. Albert was always sharply dressed and had a smile for everyone, patrons and staff members alike. He was respected by those who knew him.”

She continued, “Albert was firm but kind. He was proud of the food that came out of his kitchens. He loved his family dearly and I can remember all of his children coming to the restaurant for dinner at least once a week with their grandfather (Marie’s dad) so that they could dine together as a family. The kids filled one of those circular booths with noise, some fighting, lots of stray spaghetti, and laughter, and they were so happy for the opportunity to have dinner with their mom or dad during work hours. I know that my initial introduction to the restaurant business so many years ago not only expanded my palate, but began my appreciation for the joy that is working in the service industry. I have Albert and Marie Micheletti to thank for that.”

Barrington native Nick DeSisto, who now resides in Florida, also knew the Micheletti clan because of his brother, Joe, who is married to Albert’s daughter, Paula.

“I knew Al through them,” he explained. “He was always entertaining and like they mentioned at the funeral service, Al loved to cook. He routinely made dinners for my brother and Paula. Leftovers made their way to my brother's home. I joked with my brother that i hoped Al left him his recipe book. Al spoiled them and his other children as well. I was glad to be home for Al's funeral.”

Albert Micheletti admittedly owed much of the success he had in food service to his mother.

“My mother had a lot to do with the success of my business during the early years,” Al once confessed. “She helped make the sauce, and naturally I took some of the credit for it. She was an amazing lady.”

To keep many of his old pals happy, Al joined a few organizations during those years, and was especially proud to be a member of the Bristol Rotary Club.

“I’ve known Al for over 50 years,” said longtime friend Joseph Perry. “He was such a great guy.”

Added longtime friend, Raymond Romano, “I have known Al Michelletti since I was a young boy. His mother and my grandmother were good friends. Albert learned the restaurant business from his parents who had a market and catering business on Federal Hill. Many people may remember Micheletti's Restaurant on Metacom Avenue in Warren known for its great food and hospitality. This tradition continues with his son, Mark, at Pomodoro's Restaurant in Bristol. The Micheletti family is well known in Rhode Island, as well as many of his relatives who have owned various restaurants throughout the state.”

That smile; that laugh. It was all Al Micheletti. It was infectious, and he used it to his benefit.

Al and his wife, Marie, loved going out with special friends, especially Marcia Bosworth and her late husband, Ros Bosworth Jr. Together, the couples always enjoyed each other’s company, especially on the morning of the Fourth of July, before and after the big Bristol parade.

“My mom and dad loved the Bosworths,” said Al Micheletti Jr. “They were inseparable.”

In the overall scheme of things, Albert Micheletti left behind a legacy that may never be equaled again.

Albert Micheletti Jr., speaking on behalf of his siblings and friends spelled it out in these terms: “My dad’s life was not defined on wealth and materialistic things. His biggest success in life was his family and his love of God. He was lost without my mother after she passed earlier this year. His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his wife were his biggest success in life.”

Somebody once said, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Albert Micheletti certainly lived up to that standard. He embodied everything that is good in this world and we’re all better off for it. He will be greatly missed.