Baltimore Ravens OL coach Joe D’alessandris, who passed away on 25 August 2024, was a devoted family man. The renowned NFL official leaves behind his team, fans, and family.
He was married to Toni Mayfield for 42 years. The late couple led a long and blissful marital life for several decades. They were proud parents of three daughters and grandparents of five grandchildren.
Highlights
- Joe D’alessandris had a blissful and long marriage with his college sweetheart, Toni Mayfield.
- In addition to participating in multiple sports, Mrs. D’alessandris participated in several community services.
- The duo had three daughters, Anna, Kelly, and Emily.
D’alessandris devoted his life to coaching, and his late wife was the reason he remained in the field for over five decades. Toni was the most trusted confidant and biggest fan of her spouse.
While the late coach devoted his life to football, his better half devoted her life to supporting his career. She did everything from packing up the car to cheering him and his team during the game.
But that doesn’t mean she didn’t have a career. In her heyday, Joe D’alessandris’s wife was involved in multiple sports and was an accomplished athlete in her own right.
Joe D’alessandris Met His Wife While Attending WCU
Like Joe D’alessandris, Toni Mayfield, his wife, was taking a sociology class at Western Carolina University (WCU) for the first time.
He was a star athlete at the university, and Mayfield was also an accomplished athlete in her own right. She loved skiing, playing tennis, and dancing.
Heartbroken to hear of the passing of Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris. Joe D was a wonderful man and a great coach. He was a friend whose conversations and wisdom I treasured and will miss. Enjoy the reunion with your wonderful wife my friend. Godspeed Joe D. pic.twitter.com/wBkmNPgL70
— Gerry Sandusky (@GerrySandusky) August 25, 2024
She even showcased her acting skills at Radio City Music Hall in the opening act of a Rockettes performance.
In addition, the coach’s wife was also said to have been involved in different community services. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Moreover, Toni Mayfield D’Alllessandris was born in Concord in 1954. She grew up in Hickory, North Carolina.
Mrs. D’alessandris may have enjoyed sports and several other activities. But her absolute joy was in her family, which included her spouse, three children, and grandchildren.
Around the mid-2010s, the football coach’s spouse was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She faced the challenges that entailed this illness for seven years. Toni passed away on 4 May 2022.
The D’alessandris-Mayfield Couple Were Proud Parents And Grandparents
During their four decades of marriage, D’alessandris and Mayfield welcomed three daughters: Kelly, Emily, and Anna.
Anna and Kelly are married and have a family. As a result, the D’alessandris-Mayfield pair has five grandchildren.
Oh man, Coach Joe D. We’re gonna miss you.
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) August 25, 2024
My heartfelt prayers to his children and grandchildren, and to everyone in the Ravens organization. This is a major loss, as a coach, friend and father.
It brings comfort to know he is now reunited with his wife, Toni, who passed in… pic.twitter.com/JakKTFzQzq
Following the passing of Toni, the Ravens’ OL coach and their kids struggled to accept the fact.
In an interview, the eldest of the D’alessandris sisters, Anna Thomas, said, “Getting through that first year, they are on your mind all of the time. You replay everything in your head.”
D’Alessandris also shared that the whole family went from being anxious about 4 May to excitement about welcoming a new baby.
Interestingly, Kelly Olsen, their middle child, gave birth to a baby girl, Charlotte Lynn Olsen, on 4 May. The family gave the little girl her grandmother’s middle name, Lynn.
The youngest of the D’alessandris sisters, Emily, also added that she was confident that their mom had blessed them.
Kelly, Emily, and Anna took great care of their father. Now, the coach has reunited with his wife.
Additional Information
- The late coach married his wife, Toni Mayfield, shortly after graduating.
- D’Alessandris’s parents were descendants from Italy. They still lived the culture and spoke the language.
- The coach was hospitalized with acute illness earlier this week.
