Oliver L. Zullo

COURTESY
NEWPORT — Oliver L. Zullo passed away Saturday, Sept. 29,after a brief illness. Born Lorenzo Oliver Zullo in Claremont on January 4, 1924 to Antonio and Congetta Zullo, Lorenzo was known to everyone as “Larry.” 

Larry joined the U.S. Marine Corps on Feb. 10, 1943 and received the Bronze Medal of Honor during his time of service. After leaving the Marines, Larry married Lillian S. Elfstrom, to whom he was married for 70 years before her death in 2017.

Larry worked for John Hancock for 44 years after leaving the Marines. There were multiple times throughout the years where Larry’s team was #1 in the United States. Some of Larry’s other accomplishments throughout his life were 67 years of continuous service to the American Legion Post #25. He was the head of post’s firing squad for 35 years. While Commander of the Post, they were offered $20,000 for the historic 1847 cannon they possessed. Larry turned it down, and in September 2012 Post #25 held a dedication ceremony and dedicated the cannon to Larry.

Larry was also a town selectman, Officer of the Knights of Columbus, and in 1994 was named Outstanding Citizen of the year for his dedication and work for the town of Newport. Larry was a determined man and, when it was needed, was able to raise funds to have deceased soldiers’ names engraved on the stone on the town common. He was also an integral part of raising enough funds to pay off the mortgage for the Kaarle Lehtinen Senior Center in Newport where Larry was very involved and served meals until he was 94 years old.

Larry is survived by his son, James P Zullo, a daughter Lisa Z Bellman, and Patricia Taylor who later in life became a second daughter. He was loved and adored by his children, grandchildren, and his great grandchildren. His grandchildren are James Zullo, Jeremy Zullo, Terri Higbee, Hillary LeDuc, Heather Gagnon, Alex Bellman, Roland and Joseph Taylor. He was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren.

Larry was loved and adored by his family and friends will be forever missed! He was predeceased by four brothers, and four sisters. He is survived by his sisters Rose Bly and Dolly Curtis and his brother Pete Zullo.

There will a graveside service on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Newport, followed by a get together at the Newport Senior Center, 76 South Main St., Newport.