John Pullaro

2018 - 2018

John Pullaro, 83, of Las Cruces, NM passed away peacefully at Mesilla Valley Hospice on the 7th of September. John was born on June 17th, 1935 in New York, NY to Sicilian immigrant parents Angelo and Mary (Mortellaro) Pullara. As a child he was a shoe-shine boy, worked with his family in their candy shop and later he became a Golden Gloves boxer. He served in the Marines as a tank driver and was honorably discharged in 1959. After moving from New York to Florida, among other jobs he became a successful insurance salesman earning top honors within the field.

Always wanting to be his own boss and having a love of cooking, he was prompted by family members to eventually open his own Italian restaurant in St. Augustine, FL. He had also owned and operated other restaurants in Ybor City, FL, Yuma, AZ and finally Las Cruces, NM, where he settled into business enjoying the patronage of regular customers for 43 years. He was an active and highly decorated Mason and eventually became a Shriner for some years. He had an adventurous spirit and a love of traveling, taking many camping trips with family and friends across all parts of the country in his various and beloved Volkswagen vans. John was a loving and devoted husband and caregiver to his wife of nearly 23 years, Susie Pullaro.

John is preceded in death by his wife Susie Pullaro, brothers Frank and Joseph Pullaro of Florida and brother-in-law Frank Kearns of Florida. He is survived by children John Angelo and Basia Pullaro of Florida, Steve Pullaro of Hawaii, Alan and Luana Pullaro of Florida, John Michael and Karen V. Pullaro of Seattle, sister Lillian Pullaro of Florida, brother Sal Pullaro and sister-in-law Josie Pullaro of Florida, nephew and niece Richard and Cheryl Allen and son-in-law Mike Kepler and partner Tom of Las Cruces, NM, grandchildren Carrie Pullaro, John Angelo Pullaro II, Lisa (Pullaro) Costa, Kristina Pullaro, Colby Pullaro, Erica Pullaro and several great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be gifted to: The Shriner's Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607. Or locally to: The Mission of the City of Las Cruces Senior Program and Munson Center, 975 S. Mesquite St, Las Cruces, NM 88001.

A memorial service is scheduled for 4pm on Friday October 5th at La Paz-Grham's Funeral Home, 555 W. Amador, followed by a coffee service at Fairacres Baptist Church. Pastor Chipper Moore will officiate the service. To send online condolences please visit www.lapaz-grahams.com