Philip Vultaggio, a former resident of Massapequa, New York, passed away at his home in Boca Raton, Florida on August 19, 2013 at the age of 91. He was dearly loved by his family and respected by all who knew him.

Born on February 4, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Amityville, he was the son of Italian immigrant parents, Josephine and Vito Vultaggio. As a child of the Depression era, he learned at a young age, ways to help support his family. He would buy and re-sell the local newspaper, the Amityville Record, to commuters on the Long Island Railroad making two cents on each copy, and would later deliver newspapers on his make-shift bicycle. To help heat their modest home, he would collect pieces of coal that had fallen alongside the tracks from passing trains.


As a young man he worked as a masonry apprentice until he was able to secure a job at Republic Aviation assembling P-47 Thunderbolts, the unsung hero fighter plane of WWII. In 1943 he enlisted in the Army, and was a PFC in the 115th Infantry 29th Division. His tour of duty took him from Normandy Beach through Holland and on to the front line in Germany. He truly loved his country and flew the flag with pride.

After the war ended, he returned home and started building houses in Amityville and Massapequa. He soon would meet and marry his late wife, Iole. For nearly 60 years they were happily married and devoted to each other. Their shared core values of integrity, goodness, hard work and devotion would help them achieve the American dream.

Philip was the founder and operator of two landmark businesses in Massapequa, the former Carvel, now Marshall's Ice Cream Bar, and the All American Hamburger Drive-IN, both which are still family owned and operated. He instilled in his family a strong work ethic and the importance of a unified family.

Having spent winters in Florida since the early 1950's, he began developing properties in both Delray Beach and Boca Raton. He was instrumental in the early revitalization of Delray Beach. He loved the area so much; he retired in Florida in 1972.

Philip is survived by his four devoted children William, Cecilia (Kevin) Egan, Diane (Jan) Marshall and Philip Jr. (Brema), fourteen grandchildren, soon to be 20 great grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of courage, honor, humility and love of God and country. Philip Vultaggio was a man who made an incredible difference in the lives of many. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

A viewing will be held Monday and Tuesday, August 26-27, 2013 2PM-4PM & 7PM-9PM at the Massapequa Funeral Home South Chapel, 4980 Merrick Road, Massapequa Park, NY. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 11:00 A.M. at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church, Massapequa, NY. Entombment will follow at St. Charles Resurrection Mausoleum.

Lorne & Sons Funeral Home, Delray Beach in charge of arrangements.