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Frank L. Vulcano

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Frank L. Vulcano, 89, of Houston, died Tuesday, May 22, 2018.

He was born May 22, 1929, in Penowa, a son of Pasquale and Fliomena Donici Vulcano.

Mr. Vulcano was an active member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, where he served as an usher for many years.

He graduated with the Chartiers High School Class of 1947. He attended Lock Haven State College, where he was a championship wrestler and graduated in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and furthered his education, obtaining a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1955.

Mr. Vulcano proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. Prior to his retirement, he worked as a professor at California University of Pennsylvania.

He was a revered and respected wrestling icon throughout Pennsylvania. He coached at Scott Township High School from 1953 to 1955 and became head coach at Chartiers-Houston from 1959 to 1965. He served as an assistant coach for two years before becoming head coach at California University. He was the greatest wrestling coach in California University history. He is a member of seven Hall of Fames, including the Lock Haven University Wrestling Hall of Fame, Washington-Greene County Chapter of PA Sports Hall of Fame, PSAC Hall of Fame, Southwestern PA Wrestling Hall of Fame, PA Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania Chapter and California University Athletic Hall of Fame.

In addition to wrestling, Mr. Vulcano was involved in many local civic and social organizations, including Houston Independent Club and Washington Country Club. He enjoyed horse racing and had owned race horses.

Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth J. Vulcano; sons Gerald (Rebecca) Yarkosky Jr. of Houston, Frank (Susan) Vulcano Jr. of Houston, James (Beth) Vulcano of Washington and Patsy Vulcano of Houston; daughter Deborah (William) Olson of Houston; brother Patsy Vulcano of New Orleans, La.; sister Rosemary Vulcano of McMurray; eight grandchildren, Cassandra Lyle, Shauna Yarkosky, Gerald Yarkosky III, Garrett Vulcano, Jenna Vulcano, Julia Vulcano, Christopher Vulcano and Gina Olson; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Rocco, Joseph and Jack Vulcano, and sister Theresa Zubert.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday in Sollon Funeral and Cremation Services Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, Phillip L. Sollon, supervisor, J. David Sollon, director, 724-746-1000, where departing prayers will be held at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, May 26, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church, Meadow Lands. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, Peters Township, with full military rites accorded by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 honor guard.

The family kindly suggests memorial contributions be made in Mr. Vulcano’s name to Parkinson’s Association of Western PA, www.pfwpa.org, or Hospice 365, www.365hospice.com.

Please visit www.sollon.com to leave condolences.

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