Paul Mangili, who was the owner, president, and head coach of the Attleboro Bluefish Swim Club in Massachussetts for 12 years, passed away on Wednesday. He was 48 years old.
Mangili, who eventually moved on to a career in software consulting, owned the famous New England club from 1993-2005 in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. The broader Bluefish club that has produced famed female swimmers including Olympic medalist Elizabeth Beisel and NCAA Champion Laura Sogar in recent years.
University of Pittsburgh head coach Chuck Knoles, who coached Mangili at Arizona State as an assistant, said that even on a team that included Olympic bronze medalist Andy Jameson, “Paul was the spiritual captain of the Arizona State men’s team.”
“He was one of the most lovable athletes I have ever coached and always had a nice smile and a kind word for everyone he met,” Knoles said of his former swimmer.
As an athlete, Magnini left a mark on New England swimming that still rings today, more than forty years later. At the end of January, Bluefish swimmer Max Miranda broke the Bishop Henrdicken High School record in the 200 IM, a record that Mangili had previously held from 1983.
Mangili is a member of the Rhode Island Aquatics Hall of Fame.
My family and I send prayers .to Paul’s family. I too swam with him more than 30 years ago. A great friend and motivator. So very sorry.
I swam with Paul thru HS and club 30 years ago. Great teammate and friend.
I’m very saddened by the loss of a great man.
So sorry to hear this. Prayers to the Bluefish families and staff.
Oh, wow, very sorry to hear this. The very first emails I have in my very first email account are from Coach Mangili, back from like, 2002 or something. I didn’t swim for Bluefish for very long, but he was always super nice to me…even when I was dying most of practice.
Real sad news, that’s a bummer.
Have known Paul circa thirty-five years, a nicer guy you will never find. Huge loss.
I’m very sorry to hear this. That is a big loss for Rhode Island and for the New England area. He has left a great legacy.