Frank N. Zullo

       Attorney Frank N. Zullo, beloved husband of Berenice Fischler Zullo and father of Lesley Anne Zullo, died peacefully at the Norwalk Hospital on Saturday, May 26 at the age of 85.  He attended Fairfield College Preparatory School from 1946-1950; Fordham University College from 1950-1954; and Fordham University Law School from 1954-1957.  At 33, as the youngest mayor of Norwalk in the city’s history, Norwalk native Frank N. Zullo was a major figure and positive influence in our community for over 55 years.  From 1980 to 2010, he was campaign treasurer for Connecticut’s Senior United States Senator Christopher J. Dodd. 

     Frank was named in 1958 “Young Man of the Year” by the Norwalk Junior Chamber of Commerce and in 1959 entered the partnership of Tierney & Zullo (today Tierney, Zullo, Flaherty and Murphy, P.C.).  Except for his three terms as Norwalk Mayor and six months of active duty with the National Guard, Frank practiced law full time for over 50 years. He was a general practitioner specializing in planning and zoning, and real estate development.

     In 1966, he worked together with Richard Lee, then Mayor of the City of New Haven, in forming the Connecticut Conference of Mayors. He succeeded Mayor Lee as Conference President from 1968 to 1969 and served on its Executive Committee until 1971. From 1969 to 1971 he was elected to the Board of Trustees and the Executive Board of the United States Conference of Mayors.  Frank was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee for many years. Frank was Treasurer for Senatorial Election Campaign Committees of Senator Christopher J. Dodd from 1980 through 2010 campaigns. He was Commissioner and Chairman of the First Taxing District Water Department of the City of Norwalk.  A YMCA swim team coach during college and law school, Frank chaired the Water Safety Program of the Norwalk-Wilton Chapter of the American Red Cross Board for many years, teaching hundreds of youngsters swimming and lifeguard skills. 

     Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Norwalk Hospital from 1979-1981, Frank served as a trustee almost continually since 1971.  He was a life Trustee of the Norwalk Hospital. A trustee of the University of Bridgeport since 1992, he served as board chairman in 1990-00 and as co-chairman since 2001.  He had been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Maritime Aquarium since its inception to 2012. He was a Commissioner and Chairman of the First Taxing District Water Department, City of Norwalk.                        

      Frank has a long list of honors and awards from diverse organizations.  He was a member of the Connecticut National Guard, Director and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the YMCA for many years and was very active in the early years of the formation of the Norwalk United Fund.

     The better half of the Zullo household is Frank’s wife Berenice Zullo, who like Frank was born in Norwalk, and is a Norwalk High School graduate.  They have one daughter, Lesley Anne.  A teacher at The Nursery School of the former Thomas School in Rowayton, Berenice also taught first grade at The Bedford Elementary School in Westport and special education at Jefferson School in Norwalk. Frank is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 1, 10 AM at St. Philip Church, 1 Fr. Conlon Pl., Norwalk, with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery.  Franks family will receive friends at the Magner Funeral Home on Thursday from 5-8 PM.  In lieu of flowers, donation in his name may be made to St. Philip Church.