Visitation will take place this Friday, May 25 from 2-8 p.m. at Sollon Funeral and Cremation Services Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, Pa. On Saturday a Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church, Meadow Lands, Pa. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, Peters Township, with full military rites accorded by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 honor guard.
Frank Vulcano Sr.Vulcano's wrestling resume would back up that statement.
Born in Penowa, Pa. on May 22, 1929, Vulcano graduated from Chartiers High School in 1947. Vulcano then attended Lock Haven State College (now Lock Haven University), where he was 53-7-1 as a wrestler, securing three PSAC individual championships. After receiving his bachelor's degree from Lock Haven in 1951, Vulcano headed to the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his Master's degree in 1955. He also served with distinction in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Vulcano launched his long and successful coaching career at Scott Township High School, serving from 1953-55. He then became head coach at Chartiers-Houston High, from 1959-65, compiling a career scholastic coaching record of 61-37-1.
Vulcano moved up the college ranks, joining the coaching staff at California University of Pennsylvania for two years as an assistant coach, taking the helm in 1968.
As coach of the Cal Vulcans, Vulcano coached four PSAC champions, 10 All-Americans and a national champion, Bill DePaoli, also of Chartiers-Houston, in 1977 and 1979. Vulcano compiled a 181-95-4 record through the 1984 season at Cal.
If that weren't enough, Vulcano served as a wrestling official for 32 years. In addition, he established the California University Christmas Wrestling Tournament, which evolved into what is now the Powerade Wrestling Tournament.
For all these accomplishments, Frank Vulcano Sr., is a member of seven Hall of Fames including the Lock Haven University Wrestling Hall of Fame (1987), Washington-Greene County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (1991), the PSAC Hall of Fame, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame (1992), the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame (1994), the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania Chapter (2005), and the California University Athletic Hall of Fame (2005).
Vulcano is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and four children, Gerald, Deborah, Frank Jr., James and Patsy.
"Frank was a legend in PA," Pennsylvania wrestling historian Tom Elling told InterMat. "His passing is a great loss to all who knew him. His son Frank, Jr. continues his legacy. Jr. is the WPIAL rep on the State Wrestling Steering Committee and runs the Powerade Tournament in Canonsburg, one of the best in the state."
The family asks that memorials be made to the Parkinson's Association of Western Pennsylvania and Hospice 365.
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