Obituary of William J. Vullo

William (Bill) J. Vullo of Burnt Hills, NY, 88, passed away on July 14 after a  21-month brave, resilient battle with pancreatic cancer.

“Buffalo Bill” was born in Buffalo, NY, on June 14, 1933. The aroma of his mother’s delicious Italian cooking attracted friends to his happy, loving boyhood home.  He graduated first in his class from Grover Cleveland High School (1951), received a BS with Honors from the University of Buffalo (1955), and a PhD in organic chemistry from Northwestern University (1959).  

A good athlete, Bill’s entrée to tennis began inauspiciously in ninth grade when his borrowed racket fell apart on the first shot.  With practice and competitive drive, he played first singles by senior year, and he began a passion for tennis that he spread across the family.  Through age 86, he still played tennis and pickleball, along with cross-country skiing and golf. His daily walks and stretching/exercise routine (push-ups included) continued until very recently.

It took Bill a mere three tries to convince Rita Rosati to wed him (1959), and that was the start of a wonderful 62-year marriage.  They made a beautiful pair, whether jitterbugging across the dance floor, playing bridge or tennis (he covered 80% of the court while she “guarded the alley”), volunteering, cheering their Buffalo Bills and Yankees or raising daughters, Amy and Valerie.  On occasion, he wrote poems for his wife, sometimes setting them to piano music.  

Bill began his career as a research chemist with Hooker Chemical, later joined Mohasco Industries and then General Electric, where he was a pioneer in the emerging environmental science field.  He led successful initiatives to clean up contaminated soil, ground water, and plant facilities at Fort Edward, Hudson Falls, and other sites across the country.  Over his career, he published 12 scientific papers and obtained 21 U.S. patents.  

In retirement, Bill devoted much of his week to volunteering at SICM food pantry, City Mission of Schenectady career center, NE Regional Food Bank, Proctors Theatre, and Church of the Immaculate Conception, where he was a Eucharistic Minister, usher, religious education instructor, and past Grand Knight of Council 10013 of the Knights of Columbus.  He served on the boards of Community Services and Glenville Senior Center.  The Rotary Club of Glenville gave him the Lifetime Achievement in Voluntary Services Award for 2007-08.

Bill had a quiet, infectious sense of humor, an easy-going manner, a love for classical music, vegetable gardening, and chocolate, and he was a voracious reader – curious about everything.  Above all, he enjoyed being a husband and father.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Rita, daughters Amy MacMillan of Mattawan, MI and Dr. Valerie Vullo (Eric Saenger) of Clarence, NY, brother Vincent Vullo of N. Tonawanda, NY, four much-loved grandchildren: Jeffrey and Lindsay MacMillan, Ryan and Marissa Saenger, and closely-knit nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his sister, Mary Ann Testa.  Donations in his honor may be made to City Mission, Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glenville, NY, or your local food pantry.

Calling hours will be held at Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd. on Sunday, July 18th from 3 to 5 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of Immaculate Conception, 400 Saratoga Rd. on Monday, July 19th at 10 AM, services will also be live streamed at https://icglenville.com/ beginning at 10 AM. Burial will follow at St. Anthony's Cemetery.