Frank Pullo dies at 97

Frank Pullo (affectionately known as "the Chief") was born January 23, 1910 in Marion, Ohio and died December 5, 2007 at the age of 97, following a brief illness.

Preceded in death by his wife, Mary Sansonetti Pullo in 1983 and his brother, Michael Pullo in 2006, he is survived by his daughters, Jacqueline (John) Rambacher and Nancy (Patrick) Wack; eight grandchildren, Mary (Tom) Gaston, John (Lillian) Rambacher, Janet (Ken) Schalmo, Kathy Mansfield, Nancy (Kevin) Blinkhorn, Patrick (Laura) Wack, David (Bettina) Wack, Michael Wack; and 21 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Pullo served in the United States Navy during World War II. He worked his entire life from the time he sold newspapers on Akron street corners as a boy until his retirement in 1975 at the Beacon Journal. Many will remember him from the Castel di Sangro Club on North Hill, where he worked evenings as a bartender and was a member of the Italian American Business Men Association. In his youth, he played semi-professional football for Akron-Canton area teams. And then as a young father, to earn extra money for his family, he would wrestle at the Akron Armory. His "claim to fame" was wrestling a bear. The bear won!

Until just a few days before his death, he would read the newspaper every day, every page, tracking each line with his giant magnifying glass. He loved to watch old movies, especially Westerns and to listen to Indians games on the radio. He was a big sports fan, following professional teams as well as local teams, especially St. Vincent and Tallmadge. He liked to "predict" . . . weather, political races, and sporting events. By "hedging" on the outcome of games, he somehow always managed to convince us that his predictions were right. He was always "up" for a game of euchre, carefully picking a partner who would insure his success.

He lived on his own, in his own home until just a month before his death. That he almost made his goal to reach 100 is a tribute to his strong heart, strong will, one banana and at least two cigars every day. He was blessed to live so long, so independently and to be surrounded by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who adored him. His life has also been a blessing to those who survive him. For us, he is only a wonderful treasured memory away.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, December 8, 2007 at the DONOVAN FUNERAL HOME, 17 SOUTHWEST AVE. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle), with Father Mike Matusz officiating. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Ohio Valley Affiliate, P.O. Box 634445, Cincinnati 45263 or Tallmadge Foundation, P.O. Box 62, Tallmadge 44278.
[The Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Thursday, December 6, 2007, page B9, col. 3]