Born in Abruzzi, Italy, and following eight years in the police force, Enrico Mancinelli arrived in Canada in 1952. Speaking no English, Mancinelli enrolled in the Wells Business Academy. After graduation, Enrico took his first construction job as a timekeeper with Frid Construction. He joined the Labourers International Union Local 837 in 1958.

During his early years in Canada, Enrico Mancinelli became concerned about the exploitation of Italo-Canadian labourers. In 1956, he formed the New Canadian Club, an organization aimed at finding work for immigrants, giving courses on accident prevention, providing assistance with legal and tax problems, and foremost in Mancinelli's priorities - teaching English to the newcomers.

By 1959, Enrico Mancinelli went to work for the Labourers Union as an interpreter and organizer. Gradually, Italo-Canadians joined the movement and by 1962, an estimated 75 percent of Local 837s 1500 members were Italian immigrants. Mancinelli quickly rose through the ranks of the Labourers union; serving as secretary treasurer of Local 837; then to manager of LIUNA Ontario district council, overseeing the affairs of 27,000 workers; culminating in 1991 with his election in 1991 as vice president of the Labourers Union International of North America - a post representing some 700,000 workers across the continent. Enrico Mancinelli founded the first pension fund for construction labourers in 1971.

Enrico Mancinelli has lent his services to many social and philanthropic causes; on behalf of education, health care and the United Way. He has served as Treasurer of the National Congress of Italo-Canadians. Mancinelli founded the LIUNA Association - a non-profit organization providing affordable housing for seniors and disabled persons. He is also founder and director of LIUNA Gardens.

Enrico Mancinelli's many public-honours include Italian Canadian Man of the Year, 1979, and a special award by the Ministry of External Affairs in 1989 for his work with Italian-Canadians.