Leonard A. Cullo

1926 - 2018

Leonard Anthony Cullo, 92, of Greensburg, passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville surrounded by prayer and his family. Len was born in the Bronx, N.Y., to Luigi and Cecilia (Mascali) Cullo on April 29, 1926. He graduated from Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, N.Y., at the age of 16. Soon after, he left home for the first time to enroll at The Catholic University of America, graduating with a B.S. in chemical engineering. While at The Catholic University, Len earned a listing in the "Who's Who of American Universities." He was also invited to be a member of the prestigious Abbey Club, moderated by then Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen. He went on to earn an M.S. in chemical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. For more than four decades, Len worked as a chemical engineer, and most of his work focused in catalysis. His career started with American Cyanimid before he moved to Harshaw Chemical Co. He closed out his career at Aristech, the chemical division of U.S. Steel. As the holder of 54 U.S. patents, Len left indelible marks on the industry as well as impacted everyday lives. Many of his patents involved technical process improvements; his most notable works include the revamping of processes in the oil refinery industry, the commercial use of Promise margarine, and a refinement in the use of poison prevention that saved lives. Len was a veteran of World War II and served in the Army from 1944 to 1946. Len's proudest achievement, bar none, was his marriage to Rita Hickey on Sept. 3, 1955, at St. Teresa's Church in Tarrytown, N.Y. Len shared a wealth of remarkable stories, from his childhood when his family controlled the marble market in early 1900 New York City through his early years when he and his brother caddied for Bernard Gimbel of Gimbel's Department Store and Jack Strauss of Macy's. He shared war stories about WWII training exercises to blow up Japanese power plants in the event of an invasion. He was an avowed Catholic, who believed firmly that religion and science could coexist. Len loved classical books, eating lasagna and cannolis, drinking Scotch, and every minute of his time spent with Rita. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Marie Cullo and Louise Cullo LeDonne. Len is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rita Hickey Cullo, of Greensburg; son, Leonard Jr. (Kathryn), of Sewickley; daughter, Patricia Legarth (David), of Apex, N.C.; son, William (Tracy), of Alexandria, Va.; daughter, Catherine Kindel (James), of Greensburg; brothers, Jack (Sadie), of White Plains, N.Y., and Joseph (MaryAnn), of Sacramento, Calif.; and 16 grandchildren, Frank, Nick, Sarah, Emma, Jack, Nathan, Tori, Ellie, Gabby, Madeline and Michael Cullo, Patrick, Brian and Megan Legarth, and Emery and Grace Kindel.
Relatives and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at JOHN J. LOPATICH FUNERAL HOME, 601 Weldon St., Latrobe. The rite of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Mass on Friday, Sept. 14, at St. Vincent Basilica with longtime family friend, Father Fred Byrne, O.S.B., concelebrating. A private inurnment ceremony will take place in October at the Mary, Mother of Mercy Mausoleum at St. Vincent Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Leonard's name to the Benedictine Education Fund for the monks at St. Vincent Archabbey: Director of Development, St. Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690; or to the Brown Bag Ministry, P.O. Box 512, Apex, NC 27502. Len's family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the doctors and staff on the intensive care unit at Forbes Hospital for their professional and caring support. To sign the online guest book, send condolences, or to view detailed obituary information, please visit www.lopatich.com.