Obituary for Richard A. Tullio
Richard A. Tullio, 85, of Millcreek, passed away Wednesday April 19, 2023, at UPMC Hamot. He was born in Erie on November 8, 1937, a son of the late Carl and Florence Ferretti Tullio.
Dick graduated from Cathedral Prep and went on to attend Gannon University, earning a degree in finance. After college he served as a Captain in the United States Army and the Army Reserve. He then returned to Erie to work at, and later run, Carl Tullio & Sons, a successful family contracting business. Shortly after, he married Patti Decara, his wife of 59 years. Together they loved to travel the country, often visiting their five children and 10 grandchildren, supporting their activities and sharing every special occasion. This was a tradition he continued after Patti's passing in 2019.
A beloved husband, father, grandfather (Papa) and friend, Dick was known to talk for hours about sports, news of the day and even the weather. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed beautiful days at the ballpark, supporting youth sports and Gannon basketball and playing cards or golf with friends and family. A lifelong Erie resident, he was a parishioner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. Peter Cathedral, and most recently, St. James Catholic Church.
He will be remembered for his kindness, jovial laugh and the signature bear hugs his grandkids eagerly awaited during visits.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia DeCara Tullio; one brother, Robert Tullio; and one sister, Bette Freeman.
Survivors include four sons, Mark Tullio (Kathy) of Turlock, CA, Michael Tullio (Tammie) of Rochester, NY, Matthew Tullio (Wendy) of Los Angeles, CA, and Rick Tullio (Monique) of Houston, TX; one daughter, Leslie Tullio (Micah Dammeyer) of Washington, DC; one brother, David Tullio of Erie; and one sister, Lucille Eberlein (Tom) of Erie. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Rachel Jones (Griffin), Sara, Jack, Max, James, Nicholas, Anthony, and Grayson Tullio, and Luke and Jake Dammeyer; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Wednesday from 3:00 to 8:00p.m. and are invited to a prayer service there on Thursday at 9:45am, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. James Catholic Church at 10:30am. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.
Memorial contributions can be made to Emmaus Soup Kitchen, 218 E 11th St, Erie, PA 16503 or Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA, 1507 Grimm Dr, Erie, PA 16501
Dick graduated from Cathedral Prep and went on to attend Gannon University, earning a degree in finance. After college he served as a Captain in the United States Army and the Army Reserve. He then returned to Erie to work at, and later run, Carl Tullio & Sons, a successful family contracting business. Shortly after, he married Patti Decara, his wife of 59 years. Together they loved to travel the country, often visiting their five children and 10 grandchildren, supporting their activities and sharing every special occasion. This was a tradition he continued after Patti's passing in 2019.
A beloved husband, father, grandfather (Papa) and friend, Dick was known to talk for hours about sports, news of the day and even the weather. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed beautiful days at the ballpark, supporting youth sports and Gannon basketball and playing cards or golf with friends and family. A lifelong Erie resident, he was a parishioner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. Peter Cathedral, and most recently, St. James Catholic Church.
He will be remembered for his kindness, jovial laugh and the signature bear hugs his grandkids eagerly awaited during visits.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia DeCara Tullio; one brother, Robert Tullio; and one sister, Bette Freeman.
Survivors include four sons, Mark Tullio (Kathy) of Turlock, CA, Michael Tullio (Tammie) of Rochester, NY, Matthew Tullio (Wendy) of Los Angeles, CA, and Rick Tullio (Monique) of Houston, TX; one daughter, Leslie Tullio (Micah Dammeyer) of Washington, DC; one brother, David Tullio of Erie; and one sister, Lucille Eberlein (Tom) of Erie. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Rachel Jones (Griffin), Sara, Jack, Max, James, Nicholas, Anthony, and Grayson Tullio, and Luke and Jake Dammeyer; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Wednesday from 3:00 to 8:00p.m. and are invited to a prayer service there on Thursday at 9:45am, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. James Catholic Church at 10:30am. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.
Memorial contributions can be made to Emmaus Soup Kitchen, 218 E 11th St, Erie, PA 16503 or Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA, 1507 Grimm Dr, Erie, PA 16501