IN MEMORIAM

Frank Gallucci, 86, Taught

33 Years In Oneonta Schools

ONEONTA – Frank Gallucci, 86, a 33-year Oneonta High School history teacher, and one of the last people to have taught both at Academy Street and the new campus on East Street, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife and family on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.

Frank was born on Jan. 13, 1932, in Oneonta to John and Raffaella Gallucci. He attended city schools and graduated from Oneonta High School in 1950.

Upon graduation, Frank went to work for the Delaware & Hudson Railroad as an agent telegrapher. In 1952, during the Korean War, Frank joined the Army and served in the 8174th Army Signal Corp in Sendai and Tokyo, Japan. Frank was honorably discharged in 1954 with the rank of corporal.

Returning to Oneonta, Frank rejoined the D&H, and in September 1955 entered Hartwick College, where he obtained a bachelor’s in History in 1958. Frank also completed coursework toward a master’s in history at the Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn.

Frank began his long tenure at Oneonta High School in September 1958 and was a teacher for 33 years, retiring in June of 1991. He taught courses in American, World, Latin, and Diplomatic History, Participation in Government, and Economics.

Upon his retirement, Frank was one of the last teachers to have taught at both the original high school on Academy Street in Oneonta and the high school’s current location on East Street.

While working at Oneonta High School, Frank was active in the Oneonta Teacher’s Association, acting as its president and chief negotiator at one time, and he was instrumental in bringing the teachers their first written contract under the newly enacted Taylor Law of 1967.

Also during his tenure, Frank acted as senior class adviser, where he oversaw elections of class officers, orchestrated graduations, and supervised and planned senior class events from Christmas dances to senior proms. Many of his former students maintained contact with Frank over the years, referring to him as “Papa Galluc”, a term of endearment and respect given to him by his students who had the good fortune of having him as a teacher.

After his retirement, Frank became a founding member of the Oneonta High School Alumni Association, where he served on the organization’s board of directors for several years. The Association recognized Frank as the Alumnus of the Year in 2007. He also served the City of Oneonta as a member of the Planning Commission for several years, including a term as its president.

Frank married Aida Barbaro, from Salerno, Italy, in November 1964, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oneonta, and was happily married for more than 53 years.

He is survived by Aida, along with his three sons: Michael Gallucci, and his wife Cynthia; Stephen Gallucci; and Mark Gallucci, and his wife Nikki, as well as his five beautiful granddaughters: Nicole, Rachel, Megan, Gemma, and Maria. Additionally, Frank is survived by his brother, Arthur Gallucci, as well as several nieces and nephews. Frank was predeceased by his parents John and Raffaella Gallucci, his two sisters, Julia (Gallucci) Amitrano and Amelia (Gallucci) Lattanzi, his brother John Gallucci, and his wife Jacqueline and their son John Patrick Gallucci, and his sister-in-law Antoinette Gallucci.

Frank was a hard-working, humble, quiet, and honest man, who was passionate about education and passing on knowledge to future generations. He was equally passionate about his family, his reading and with keeping up on current events and news. He was also an avid, lifelong gardener, with his gardens becoming the summer source of fresh vegetables and fruit for his family, neighbors, and friends for many years. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends at picnics in the summer, at small gatherings by the backyard pool, and out at special social gatherings. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Calling Hours for Frank will be 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at the Lester R Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St, Oneonta. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, at St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut St, Oneonta. Burial with military honors will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Frank’s memory to: OHS Alumni Association, The UPS Store, # 6676, Box #106, 5001 State Highway 23, Suite 3, Oneonta, NY 13820. Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.