Frank Anthony Rulli

POLAND — Frank Anthony Rulli peacefully passed away Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, surrounded by family. During his 83 years of life, he was a devoted son, loving husband, supportive father, doting grandfather, exemplary grocer and dedicated member of his community.

Frank’s father, Nicola (more commonly referred to as Nick) and his two elder brothers were raised in Calabria, Italy, where farming had been — and would continue to be — a fundamental part of their lives. In the 1910s, Nick and his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Youngstown. Soon after, the three brothers began farming produce, which they in turn sold through their retail enterprise, Rulli Brothers, founded in 1917. 

On July 27, 1942, Frank was born as the first son of eight children to Nick and his wife, Dale Giannini Rulli. Together, the couple raised their large family alongside Frank’s uncles on a small farm located on Early Road in Youngstown. 

While their East Federal Street store would expand its product line to include meats, dairy, groceries and Italian specialties, produce would continue to remain their passion. As a result of their success, Rulli Brothers would ultimately go on to establish several locations throughout the city of Youngstown. Frank inherited his father’s love of fruits and vegetables, and from his own account, his childhood was a happy blend of family and work on the farm and at the store. Frank fondly recalled early chores such as harvesting zucchini blossoms at sunrise and hawking apples outside their downtown store. Working closely with his father from an early age taught Frank lessons in business and life that he would need sooner than expected.

With his father’s untimely death in 1957, Frank was called upon to assist his mother in running both the farm and the store. During this difficult time, he was given certain allowances to aid him in operating the family business, including a special driver’s license and a truncated school schedule.

After graduating from East High School in 1960, Frank took over the day-to-day operations of the store. Throughout the following decade, he faced a new challenge as the suburban commercial development drew shoppers away from the city’s central business district. By 1972, with urban renewal plans calling for the demolition of most of the existing wholesale structures on East Federal Street, Frank oversaw the relocation of Rulli Brothers, first on Youngstown-Poland Road, and then on Mathews Road, where he and his two brothers expanded the business into a full-service grocery store featuring Italian specialties.

With growing demand, Frank and his wife Louise expanded Rulli Brothers again in 1988 by opening a second location in Austintown. Eventually, Frank would come to operate both locations, and by 2009, he and Louise would relocate their Boardman store to its current location at South Avenue and Maple Avenue, where he maintained his hectic work schedule until 2020, when he stepped back to care for his wife. 

Throughout his 70-year career, Frank remained a very hands-on grocer, enabling him to develop countless deeply valued friendships with employees, customers and vendors. By working closely with his associates on a daily basis and regularly mentoring those new to the workforce, he formed a special bond with his employees. By spending much of his day on both the sales floor and service counters, he came to know many of his customers by name, frequently forming friendships that spanned multiple generations. He also enjoyed his working relationship with vendors, other grocers and community partners. Of particular importance to Frank was his long-term membership in the Youngstown Grocers Association, where he served on the board for many years, advocating for the association and its members. Another part of the community that Frank strongly supported was the local 4-H. For decades, he attended the annual 4-H auctions at the Canfield Fair, where he frequently purchased livestock in support of the children of agriculture. In addition, Frank was also a member of the Ohio Grocers Association and the Sons of Italy. He received several honors throughout his career, including a lifetime achievement award from the National Grocers Association and the Greater Youngstown Italian Fest Man & Woman of the Year from the Italian-American Foundation of Youngstown.

So much of what Frank accomplished in both business and life was done with the support of his wife, Louise. Married June 3, 1963, Frank and Louise enjoyed over 58 years of marriage. They were true partners in life, raising a family together, working together, traveling together, worshipping together and sharing all of life’s joys and sorrows together. Frank valued family above all. He integrated both his work and loved ones in order to create a lasting bond with his children, as his father had done.

As a child, Frank was a parishioner at Immaculate Conception and eventually joined Holy Family Parish with his family in 1975.

Frank leaves to carry on his memory and legacy, sons, Nicholas M. Rulli of Los Angeles, California, Frank A. Rulli Jr. of Boardman, Michael A. (Kelly) Rulli of Salem and Mark A. (Melinda) Rulli of Canfield; grandchildren, Ethan M. Rulli and Hayden E. Rulli, both of Salem; step-grandson, Hunter (Qinmo) Gervelis of Pittsburgh, Pa., and extended granddaughter, CaroleAnn O. Scott of Long Island, New York; his sister-in-law, Trudy Farbman; his niece, Liz Farbman of Austintown (whom he considered a daughter); siblings, Marian Parish, Angela Rulli and Nick Rulli, all of Canfield; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Louise; and his siblings, Catharine Rulli, Mary Carano, Anthony Rulli and Josephine Janik. 

While Frank’s legacy of hard work and determination remains an inspiration for his loved ones, he will best be remembered for his bottomless kindness and unwavering faith.

Friends and family may attend calling hours 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes Poland Chapel, 2726 Center Road, Poland. 

A Mass of Christian Burial shall be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at Holy Family Church, followed by entombment in Lake Park Cemetery. 

Condolences can be sent to Frank’s family and contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting www.higgins-reardon.com.