BOCA RATON — Philip Vultaggio, a former resident of Massapequa, N.Y., passed away at his home in Boca Raton on Aug. 19 at the age of 91. He was dearly loved by his family and respected by all who knew him.
Born on Feb. 4, 1922, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised in Amityville, he was the son of Italian immigrant parents, Josephine and Vito Vultaggio. As a child of the Great Depression era, he learned ways to help support his family at a young age.
He would buy and resell the local newspaper, the Amityville Record, to commuters on the Long Island Railroad, making 2 cents on each copy, and would later deliver newspapers on his makeshift bicycle. To help heat their modest home, he would collect pieces of coal that had fallen alongside the tracks from passing trains.
As a young man, he worked as a masonry apprentice until he was able to secure a job at Republic Aviation assembling P-47 Thunderbolts, the unsung hero fighter plane of World War II. In 1943, he enlisted in the Army, and was a private first class in the 115th Infantry 29th Division. His tour of duty took him from Normandy Beach through Holland and on to the front line in Germany. He truly loved his country and flew the flag with pride.
After the war ended, he returned home and started building houses in Amityville and Massapequa. He soon would meet and marry his late wife, Iole. For nearly 60 years, they were happily married and devoted to each other. Their shared core values of integrity, goodness, hard work and devotion would help them achieve the American Dream.
Mr. Vultaggio was the founder and operator of two landmark businesses in Massapequa, the former Carvel, now Marshall’s Ice Cream Bar, and the All American Hamburger Drive-In, both of which are still family-owned and operated. He instilled in his family a strong work ethic and the importance of a unified family.
Having spent winters in Florida since the early 1950s, he began developing properties in both Delray Beach and Boca Raton. He was instrumental in the early revitalization of Delray Beach. He loved the area so much, he retired to Florida in 1972.
Mr. Vultaggio is survived by his four devoted children, William, Cecilia (Kevin) Egan, Diane (Jan) Marshall and Philip Jr. (Brema), 14 grandchildren, and 19 (soon to be 20) great-grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of courage, honor, humility and love of God and country.
Philip Vultaggio was a man who made an incredible difference in the lives of many. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
A viewing was held Aug. 26-27 at the Massapequa Funeral Home South Chapel, Massapequa Park, N.Y. A funeral Mass was celebrated on Aug. 28 at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Massapequa, NY. Entombment followed at St. Charles Resurrection Mausoleum.
Lorne & Sons Funeral Home, Delray Beach, was in charge of arrangements.
Obituary submitted by the family.
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