George Luigi Agostini of Seekonk, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and inspiration to all who knew him, passed peacefully into eternal life on June 9, 2025 at the age of 91, surrounded by his family. Born in Pawtucket on August 5, 1933 to John and Maria (Federighi) Agostini, George began his devotion to the Blessed Mother at 7 years old, around the same time he began his love of math and baseball at St. Joseph’s School in Pawtucket. He went on to attend St. Raphael’s Academy where he was the star short stop helping to lead his team to victory in the State Championship his senior year at McCoy Stadium. After graduating in 1952, he declined a contract with the New York Yankees before joining the Air Sea Reserve of the United States Coast Guard where he was recognized for multiple sea rescues. During this time, he prepared for his future and read over forty books on business. After four years of active duty, George remained a member of the reserves as he began his career in construction. After applying what he learned from his readings and from a course at the University of Rhode Island on the elimination of motion, George’s focus on jobsite efficiencies quadrupled profitability for his family’s company. Quite an accomplishment! Around this time, he met the love of his life, Mary. It was love at first sight and on September 21, 1957, their beautiful marriage of over 67 years began. With Mary by his side, his career as eventual owner of Agostini and Bacon Construction soared. Over the next several decades, he oversaw the construction of over $4 billion of public schools, apartment buildings, university dormitories, and shopping centers. In 1967, he expanded his business ventures, starting what would later become Ocean State Janitorial Services. In 1989, he became a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year by Inc. Magazine and Ernst & Young and in 1995, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Johnson & Wales University. As a devoted parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Seekonk, George was a former Chairman of the Catholic Charities Appeal for the Fall River Diocese. He was also a member of the Loggia Roma, the President’s Council for Save the Bay, and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul where he received the Top Hat Award. He also served on the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels and the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts. While serving as a member of the Bishop’s Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Education, George was honored with the Timothy J. Cotter Friend of Catholic Education Award. In 2010, he established a private charitable foundation that has built hospitals and wells in Africa and Haiti and has shipped medical supplies to many countries in need. George loved going to the Cape and playing golf but, above all, he loved his family and creating new memories with them. He spread joy to all who knew him and set an amazing example of faith, courage, resilience, and true goodness. He showed us all the importance of believing in God, Jesus, and the Blessed Mother and what it takes to have a beautiful and loving marriage, unselfishly focusing on his wife until the very end. The family would like to thank the aides from Bayada Home Health for all the kindness and great care they took of George especially Sherri and Ashley. Knowing how much they were loved by you meant the world to us. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Perone) Agostini, his son, Steven Agostini and his wife, Deanna, his son, David Agostini and his wife, Michelle, his daughter, Paula (Agostini) Bizier and her husband Michael, his grandchildren George Agostini and his wife, Jessica, Joshua Agostini and his wife Lindsay, Tiffany Agostini, Dalton Agostini, Noah Agostini, Maryssa Bizier, and Malayna Bizier. He is also survived by his sisters, Donna Bachini and her husband, Dino, Dianne Arruda and her husband, Ronald, several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Dominic Agostini. Before his passing, George was blessed with the knowledge that he has three great grandchildren on the way. He will be missed beyond words but we will carry a piece of him in our hearts forever, cherish great memories of him, and will always honor him by upholding the things he taught us. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, June 14th at 12:00 noon at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Coyle Drive, Seekonk, Massachusetts. His calling hours will be from 9:00 - 11:00 AM Saturday morning prior to the Mass, at the Manning-Heffern-O’Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Mr. Agostini’s burial will be with full Military Honors at Mt. St. Mary’s Cemetery, Prospect Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. www.ONeillFuneralHomes.com
