John C. Tulli (age 93), of Franklin (MA), died peacefully in the early morning hours on December 23rd following an illness. He was the beloved husband of Eileen A. (Buffone) for 67 years. Born August 15, 1923 in Franklin, he was the son of Clementino and Michelina (Bertone) Tulli.
John was a long-time Franklin resident - raised and educated in the Franklin Public Schools. While still in high school he participated in the Manual Training Apprenticeship Program under the direction of the late Leonard Remington, Plant Manager for Thomson National Press Company in Franklin. Upon graduating from high school in June 1941, he worked full-time as a machinist, and then as foreman/chief inspector for the company until 1981. Shortly after, John worked as a tool and die maker, and later maintenance coordinator for Clark Cutler McDermott Company in Franklin until retiring in 1994. In all, he worked for 55 years performing highly-skilled tasks for these two companies. In addition, he worked for 18 years as a teller at Foxboro Raceway until its closing in 1986. He was enrolled in Stonehill College’s Continuing Education Division where he took courses relating to production inventory control, and was a member of the National Metal Trade Association (Boston Branch) along with the Foreman’s Club of Greater Boston.
He helped construct the building for Franklin’s V.F.W. Post #3402 on Pond Street, and was Post Commander in the early 1960’s. Once he was Great Sachem for the Wonewok Tribe (Improved Order of Red Men) in Franklin where he was a member for many years serving as collector of wampum, and was one of the founders of Franklin Little League where he was a coach. He was active in Boy Scout Troop 126 in the late 1960’s - early 1970’s. He was a lifetime communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Franklin where he served as an altar boy in the 1930’s.
In 1943, John entered the U.S. Army via Camp Devens (later known as Fort Devens) in Ayer (MA), and did his basic training at Fort Bragg, NC. He was a veteran of World War II in the Service Battery 903rd Field Artillery Battalion attached to the 78th Lightning Infantry Division and earned three bronze service stars for fighting in the Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes), and the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns. While in combat in the Ardennes Forest, John earned a battlefield promotion to Technical Sergeant. He was responsible for battalion supply. He served under Generals Patton and Simpson. At the end of the war, John had earned the following for his service: European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal of Germany, Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1946. He continued to serve his country by distributing poppies for the V.F.W. during their Veterans Day and Memorial Day Drives, and helping at the polls during national, state, and local elections. For the past twenty-five years, John shared his military experiences with middle-high school students. During this time, he served as the Keynote Speaker for the Annual Veterans Day Program at Ayer High School in 2001, and participated in the program for eight years. In addition, he was the Grand Marshal for the 2010 Ayer Memorial Day Parade. He instructed how to fold the American Flag at the Franklin Senior Citizens Veterans Day Breakfast. He marched in many Memorial Day parades for the Town of Franklin, and was part of a group of honored veterans during the 2005 parade.
John is survived by his wife, Eileen of Franklin; daughter, Patricia A. Muratori, her husband (Donald), beloved grandson (Anthony), of Medway, MA; two sons: Stephen M. Tulli, and his wife (Silvani) of Leominster (MA), John F. Tulli of Fort Lauderdale, FL. He is the brother of Pauline LaCasio (Attleboro, MA) and Lawrence Tulli of California, as well an uncle to many nieces and nephews.
An avid Boston sports fan, John enjoyed watching the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, and Celtics. He also enjoyed outdoor activities, such as gardening and playing golf. He and Eileen were members of the Sociables Luncheon/Dance at Lake Pearl Luciano’s in Wrentham. He enjoyed playing ball with his grandson in his backyard. Most of all, he took pride in spending time with his family.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday evening (12/28/16) from 5-8 PM at Charles F. Oteri & Son Franklin Funeral Home (33 Cottage Street, Franklin (MA)) - www.oterifuneralhome.com
Funeral mass will be on Thursday morning (12/29/16) at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (1 Church Square, Franklin (MA)) . Interment and full military honors will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery on Beaver Street in Franklin.
Donations in John’s memory may be sent to Wounded Warrior Project (PO Box 758516, Topeka (KS) 66675) and/or Countryside Health Care of Milford (attn: Activities Department, 1 Countryside Drive (Milford, MA 01757)). The Tulli family would like to thank the staff at Countryside Health Care for their kindness and devotion to John.
