CGI Chairman Charles Zullo Jr. dies at 85

Starting as a welder at 18 helped Charles J. Zullo Jr. seal his ascent up the corporate ladder.
“He helped his parents start their business in 1948,” said Eileen Zullo of Pittsburgh, one of his daughters.
Over time, her father rose through the ranks to lead and grow the family endeavor into one of largest independent industrial gas wholesalers in the United States – CGI Group of Companies, on Henderson Avenue in Canton and Chartiers townships.
Charles Zullo, 85, longtime local businessman, chairman of CGI’s board and champion of charitable causes, died Wednesday in his Chartiers home. He is survived by six of his seven children and a sister. The full obituary is on Page B5.
The enterprise his father, Charles Sr., launched 67 years ago eventually expanded to a group of companies that operate in several states: CGI International Inc., General Hydrogen Corp. and CGI of Delaware. The corporate headquarters remain on Henderson Avenue (Route 18), in a 65,000-square-foot glass building with a blue hue.
The company focuses on manufacturing and distribution. It distributes major bulk gases carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, argon and propane.
“He is truly recognized in the United States,” said Eileen, CEO and one of Charles’ six daughters. “He was always very quiet, not a showy man.”
James West, owner of Nichi Corp. in Bethlehem, knew Charles Zullo professionally and personally. West served as an engineering consultant to Zullo.
“He lived the American dream and built a large, successful, respectable company,” West said. “He was engaging, honorable and a hard worker.”
Zullo grew up on Arch Street in the Tylerdale section of Washington, graduated from Washington High School and attended Washington Seminary. He served in the Marines and was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh, but decided to pursue his business.
About 40 years ago, his daughter recalled, Zullo bought about 100 acres on a hill across from CGI and built his home there.
She said he also was active in St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Smile Train, which provides corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates.
Charles Zullo also built up lives.