Temple University Athletics
Temple Mourns Passing of Hall of Famer Jerry Rullo
10.24.16 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA - Jerry Rullo, a Temple University Athletics Hall of Famer, passed away on October 21. He was 93.
A three-sport athlete for the Owls from 1941 through 1946, Mr. Rullo captained both the basketball and soccer teams while also a member of the baseball team. As a basketball standout, he played on head coach Josh Cody's 1942-43 and 1943-44 squads before being drafted into the United States Army. He returned for his senior season in 1945-46, before embarking on a professional basketball career.
Mr. Rullo played on the first NBA (originally called Basketball Association of America) Championship team, the 1946-47 Philadelphia Warriors and was the last living member of that legendary squad. It was his first of four seasons in the league. He also played nine seasons in the Eastern League.
Mr. Rullo, who was inducted into the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984, served as a coach and supervisor for the Philadelphia Department of Recreation from 1950 until he retired in 1983.
Mr. Rullo is the beloved husband of Eileen (nee Rafferty) and devoted father of Jerry (Peggy) and James (Maureen). He is also survived by six grandchildren, Jerry, Patrick, Molly, Charlie, Megan and Eileen.
Relatives and friends are invited to his Viewing and funeral on Wednesday, October 26. The viewing will be from 9 to 10:15 A.M. at St Gabriel Church, 29th and Dickinsons Sts. Funeral Mass to begin 10:30 A.M. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th and Civic Center Blvd. 19104 in Jerry's memory.
A three-sport athlete for the Owls from 1941 through 1946, Mr. Rullo captained both the basketball and soccer teams while also a member of the baseball team. As a basketball standout, he played on head coach Josh Cody's 1942-43 and 1943-44 squads before being drafted into the United States Army. He returned for his senior season in 1945-46, before embarking on a professional basketball career.
Mr. Rullo played on the first NBA (originally called Basketball Association of America) Championship team, the 1946-47 Philadelphia Warriors and was the last living member of that legendary squad. It was his first of four seasons in the league. He also played nine seasons in the Eastern League.
Mr. Rullo, who was inducted into the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984, served as a coach and supervisor for the Philadelphia Department of Recreation from 1950 until he retired in 1983.
Mr. Rullo is the beloved husband of Eileen (nee Rafferty) and devoted father of Jerry (Peggy) and James (Maureen). He is also survived by six grandchildren, Jerry, Patrick, Molly, Charlie, Megan and Eileen.
Relatives and friends are invited to his Viewing and funeral on Wednesday, October 26. The viewing will be from 9 to 10:15 A.M. at St Gabriel Church, 29th and Dickinsons Sts. Funeral Mass to begin 10:30 A.M. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th and Civic Center Blvd. 19104 in Jerry's memory.
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