Charles J Zullo, Jr.

Charles J. Zullo, Jr. 

“Local entrepreneur, business leader and industry innovator dies at 85”

Charles J. Zullo, Jr, 85 of Washington died peacefully on Wednesday August 19, 2015 in his home surrounded by his loving family.  

He was born July 22, 1930 in Washington, PA the son of the late Charles J. Zullo,Sr. and Eleanor Caputo Zullo. 

Mr Zullo was a graduate of Washington High School and then attended Washington Seminary. He was granted a full scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh but chose the path of an entrepreneur instead.  

He was a member of St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church in Washington.

and a senior member of Valley Brook Country Club in McMurray for more than forty years.  He was a member of the worldwide organization, IOMA ,(International Oxygen Manufacturer) as well as a member of GAWDA ,(Gas And Welding Distributor Association) ,Knights of Columbus and the American Legion Post #175 in Washington . He proudly served his country as a U.S. Marine. 

He loved his work and was tireless in building his business and devoting time to his family.  

Mr. Zullo was passionate about supporting children’s charities worldwide. And through the Smile Train organization has provided cleft palate surgery to dozens of children in China, India, Africa and Indonesia . 

He was Chairman and Founder of CGI group of companies based in Washington, PA.  Charles Zullo began  his legacy in an alley on Arch Street in Washington’s Tylerdale  section where his father taught him to weld as a young boy. It was here that General Welding Supply Company was founded in 1948 and grew from humble beginnings to become CGI International Group of Companies, one of the largest independently owned industrial gas companies in the Northeastern United States providing service to over 12 states .

The CGI Group of Companies headquartered in Washington, Pa for the last 67 years includes CGI International, LLC , CGI International, Inc., and General Hydrogen Corporation located in Procter, West Virginia.

Known as an innovator in the industrial gas industry, he built the only privately held hydrogen company in the United States, providing hydrogen gas to all the major power companies in the northeastern U.S.

Over the years he acquired experiences that cannot be taught, skills that are hard to come by and friends that lasted a lifetime. He built a family, business and life that will be remembered for generations. Charles motto “nothing happens until someone sells”, has become the company's rally cry.

Charles attributed his success in business to his parents and the discipline, skills and training he acquired as a marine sergeant in the 2nd division where his skill as a marine sharpshooter earned him a military medal. His pride in being a United States Marine was well known among all who knew him.

On February 12, 1951 in Washington, he married  Mary Aldine Camps who died August 31, 2010.

Mr. Zullo was the loving father of six daughters Deborah (David) Caruso of Lauderdale by the Sea, FL, Cathy J. (Joseph) Angeli of Margate, FL, Eileen Zullo of Pittsburgh, Pa ,Cindy L. Zullo of Washington, Sandra L. Anderl of Washington and Lisa J. (Sonnino) Bruni of Bethel Park, Pa and his son Charles J. Zullo III who preceded him in death.  

Surviving is a sister Marlene Wilson of Washington, and his grandchildren David Charles Caruso, Michael Joseph Angeli, Olivia Lauren Angeli, Zoe Muskan Zullo, Nathan Duane Chadwick, Damian Lee Chadwick,Justin Charles Chadwick, Stephen Hans Anderl, Ian Charles Anderl, Nicholas Francesco Bruni, Alexandra Aldine Bruni, Hallie Mesta and Mitchell Charles Zullo.  Also surviving are seven great grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother in law James Wilson and a son in law Stephen Anderl.

Friends will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday in Dale D. DeAngelo Funeral Home at 1290 Jefferson Ave. in Washington, Pa . A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday August 24, 2015 in St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church at 320 Henderson Ave. Washington, PA.  Interment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery in McMurray.

In lieu of flowers, please support Mr. Zullo’s favorite charities, Smile Train at www.smiletrain.org and St. Jude’s Hospital www.stjude.org. 

A guestbook is available at www.deangelocare.com.

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