William J. Cerullo

POTTSVILLE -William J. Cerullo, 94, of Pottsville, died Thursday, January 15, at the Schuylkill Center, Pottsville. Born in Pottsville September 23, 1914, he was the son of the late Ciro and Antonia (D'Argenio) Cerullo, both of whom immigrated from Italy in the early 1900's. He was a 1932 graduate of Pottsville High School (the Patterson Building). He served two terms of duty in the United States Army, before and near the end of World War II. In addition to his 39 year career with the United States Post Office/United States Postal Service, he worked for the Works Progress Administration, was a teacher of typing and shorthand, was a private driving instructor, and had a variety of other positions locally. After retirement he volunteered with Schuylkill County Meals on Wheels and at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. He enjoyed life memberships in the American Legion, and the National Association for Retired Federal Employees and was one of the founding members of the CACL Federal Credit Union. He was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, but having grown up on Bunker Hill, had previously been a lifelong member of St. Joseph's Church in Pottsville, and was its oldest male parishioner at the time of the closing of that parish. In addition to his parents and his wife, Margaret (Wheeler), to whom he was married 45 years before her passing, he was preceded in death by: his son, William J. Cerullo, Jr. his brother, Anthony; and his sisters, Margaret Cerullo and Emma Cerullo. Surviving William are: two daughters, Mary Jo Cerullo, New Jersey; Elizabeth, Cerullo Pottsville a son, Martin and his wife Linda; three granddaughters, Keri Baver, Kim Chiera, and Katie Cerullo; three great-grandchildren, Alex Baver, Jack Baver and Drew Chiera; nieces and nephews. Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 19, at St. Patrick's Church, Pottsville. The Rev. Francis Cerullo, OSA, will officiate. Family and friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. There will not be a procession from the Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 6th & W. Market St., Pottsville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be sent to Alzheimer's Association, 3544 N. Progress Avenue, Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110, or St. Patrick's Church, 319 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville, PA 17901. Condolences for the family may be left online by visiting our website at www.bestlifetributes.com