Dr. Frank DelSanto Award

Dr. Frank DelSanto Ed.D. has embodied and optimized the essence of service to the community, throughout most of his life. Born on February 3, 1925 on Federal Hill in Providence, RI and he has been a Cranston resident for 94 of his 101 years of age. Frank graduated from Cranston High School with the Class of 1945. He is a very modest individual, though small in stature, Frank cast a giant shadow, with his volunteerism.

Frank was a Teacher/Coach at the Hugh B. Bain School, for 15 years. He went on to teach at Boston University and the University of Rhode Island (URI). Frank retired in 1990 as Professor Emeritus of Health Science and Sports Medicine from URI.

 

Always been a believer in the Volunteerism Movement, Frank serves as a volunteer for many organizations locally and State-wide – such as the Cranston Y, a Branch of the Greater Providence YMCA, The Cranston Historical Society, The Cranston Hall of Fame (a Founding Member), The Cranston Veterans Memorial Scholarship Fund, Treasurer for the Statewide Retired Teachers Association as well as a participant in the Romeo Group. Frank also has served as the Advisor for the Rhode Island Chapter – Mended Hearts, (a group of cardiac patients).

 

When the Cranston Hall of Fame (CHOF) decided to create its Community Service Award, to recognize an individual, from any community, who was deemed, through Service, to have contributed significantly and had a positive impact on, by helping to improve the well- being of the Cranston Community, the CHOF Board selected Dr. Frank DelSanto as the Award’s first recipient. Because of Frank’s contribution to the city, the Board also chose to further honor Frank, by naming this award, the “Dr. Frank DelSanto Community Service Award”.

 

As of 2026, 101-year-old Frank serves, as a mentor to the young and old alike. Frank feels that all humans have something they can volunteer at and the Community at large needs them.