STATEN ISLAND, N.Y — As a heartfelt way to honor the memory of Vincent N. Gattullo and to keep his legacy alive, the corner of Martling Avenue and Clove Road — at the main entrance of the Staten Island Zoo — was renamed for its late executive director who passed away in 2017 at the age of 86.
The street co-naming ceremony, which began with the national anthem sung by Mr. Gattullo’s granddaughter, Madison Gattullo, a former Miss Richmond County, translated into a stirring tribute to the outstanding community advocate and his unwavering commitment to Staten Island.
A LITTLE ABOUT MR. GATTULLO’S LIFE
Gattullo’s 24-year tenure at the Staten Island Zoological Society spanned from 1980 to 2004, where he served as a trustee and then executive director also serving as its vice president and president.
During that time frame he expanded the West Brighton complex from one building to five, resolved a series of fiscal crises, spearheaded million-dollar fundraising campaigns, boosted attendance and strengthened the education program.
He also was a passionate educator and an accomplished athlete who shaped the Staten Island Zoo into a world-class cultural institution.
THE EARLY YEARS
A Curtis High School grad, where he was ranked third in the city in track and field and broke the Staten Island high-school shot-put record, Mr. Gattullo was awarded a full scholarship to Brooklyn’s St. Francis College, where he was the winner of all freshman track-and-field events. The termination of that sports program at St. Francis led to an offer from St. John’s University in Queens.
At St. John’s and with the New York Athletic Club, Mr. Gattullo won several shot-put championships. In 1952, he was considered good enough to participate in the Olympic trials at Dayton, Ohio, but said he could not afford to take the time off to participate.
His final year in college was interrupted with service in the U.S. Army as a tanker from 1953 to 1955, stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. While in the service, Mr. Gattullo played on the baseball team and was named track coach for the Fifth Army. His team won all-Army in 1955.
In fact, famed Yankee manager Billy Martin was his teammate and roommate.
Martin, who was coming off a Most Valuable Player year and was earning a grandiose $7,000 when he entered the Army, urged Mr. Gattullo to sign a professional baseball contract. But Mr. Gattullo declined, saying he planned to finish his college degree.
HIS MARRIAGE
On July 3, 1954, while on a three-day furlough, Mr. Gattullo married his high school sweetheart, the former Virginia Bianco, in Assumption R.C. Church in New Brighton, after he arrived on a B-52 bomber at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn with little time to spare.
After his discharge from the Army, he returned to St. John’s University where he earned a bachelor of science degree in biology in 1956. He worked briefly for a sewer construction company, as a timberman during construction of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.
He started teaching at PS 18 in 1957, and was tapped four years later by Maurice Wollin, then the superintendent of Staten Island public schools, as science supervisor for the borough. In 1969, he helped formulate a new curriculum for the Family Living Sex Education Program for the city school system, and in the 1970s was part of a Rockefeller Institute study about creation and evolution.
He also held a master’s degree in education from Wagner College and a certificate in administration and supervision from the former Richmond College — and was an innovative supervisor who expanded Island science fairs to include elementary and intermediate school students.
He would also establish a Science Day Camp for at-risk students and developed progressive curriculums.
In 1979, he served as acting principal of Totten Intermediate School, Tottenville.
A skilled multi-tasker who rarely turned down a new opportunity, he was the physical-education supervisor at the YMCA in Brooklyn from 1956 to 1971 and an adjunct assistant professor in the Biology Department of the College of Staten Island from 1970 to 2001.
He also taught at Hunter College in Manhattan and at Wagner College and St. John’s University.
THE STATEN ISLAND ZOO
As Zoo director, Mr. Gattullo went right to work building “a gem of a cultural organization for the Staten Island community.” Always looking for creative ways to draw youngsters to the Zoo, Mr. Gattullo in 1994 introduced the “Dinosaurs Alive!” exhibit, featuring the “birth” of a bouncing baby triceratops.
“We have had some spectacular blessed events here at the Zoo over our 58 years, including protected and even endangered species — but we’ve never had an extinct species reproduce,” the Zoo director said at the time.
He also fought hard to secure funding for a new African Savannah, commissary and keeper’s quarters. A staunch advocate for the Zoo’s expansion, he regularly negotiated with the City Council and local elected officials to stop “injurious” cutbacks.
Installation of the 5,000-square-foot African Savannah, completed in 1997 at a cost of $4.5 million, was one of Mr. Gattullo’s signature accomplishments at the Zoo. At the time, the stunning, walk-through, indoor attraction was home to leopards, baboons, meerkats, pythons and monitor lizards.
Shortly before stepping down from the executive director position, he faced a financial challenge that seemed insurmountable — an 18 percent cut in city funding in the wake of the World Trade Center attacks.
“I’m going to try not to hurt the public,” Gattullo said. “We didn’t expect this. It was just too much.”
He skillfully developed a plan to keep the Zoo running through the crisis by delaying exhibit openings and adjusting staffing and hours of operation.
The Zoo honored Mr. Gattullo for his years of service at its “Sweetheart Safari” dinner-dance in 2004.
He was saluted through the years with dozens of additional awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wagner College DaVinci Society, the Unsung Hero Award from the Staten Island Hall of Fame, the Louis Miller Award from the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, the Man of the Year Award from the Goodhue Center, the Educator the Year Award from the Staten Island Cooperative Continuum of Education and the Art Lab Founders Award.
He was also inducted into the Curtis High School Hall of Fame.
COMMENTS FROM FAMILY MEMBERS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS
Ed Burke, former Deputy Borough President, who served as the master of the heartfelt ceremony, offered his usual “quick wit,” and created good humored puns in speaking of the day’s agenda.
Early on, the street co-naming process was initiated by Gattullo’s daughter, Caryn Gattullo-Clark, who submitted the application for approval to the New York City Council.
“We were thrilled that the application was approved on the first attempt, and I knew it was the beginning of what would become a very special day in the history of Staten Island,” said Gattullo-Clark.
Virginia Gattullo, Gattullo’s wife: “Vin was as accomplished as a husband, father, grandfather, and brother as he was as an educator, director, president, chairman and CEO in his numerous careers. He was always by my side and I see his presence in the eyes of our children. I am so grateful and proud the community he loved so much and served with humanity and humility, will see his name as they pass the entrance of the Staten Island Zoo and know that one person can make a difference in so many lives.”
Steven Gattullo, Gattullo’s son: “My family and I are overwhelmed with gratitude for the support of our esteemed Staten Island officials who made this day possible. From family to friends who attended and those who couldn’t make it but conveyed their heartfelt messages about my father, I say thank you for contributing in keeping Vincent Gattullo’s legacy alive. It’s a special day. Growing up at the zoo we saw so many special things. Ken Mitchell is doing an outstanding job going forward. Dad was so proud of all of you here. And thanks to City Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks for your unwavering support who made this day extra special.”
Madison Gattullo, granddaughter: “Everywhere I go I see pieces of Vincent Gattullo. My entire childhood I learned so much from him - random science facts and life problem solving by his actions and unwavering support. People ask if I’m Vinnie’s granddaughter and I’m so proud to be his granddaughter. Although he was seemingly intimidating at 6 foot 3, he was a gentle giant, with and without all of his accomplishments. He was a kind person who would help someone on the road and every charitable organization who offered to help to someone eating alone at a restaurant. I’m truly blessed to have had ‘Poppy’ in my life for 17 years. He always knew what to say and help someone. I think of him every day and his lasting impact of my life and the life of others. Seven years later I miss him more. I tell everyone about him. His name will forever be etched in the stories we tell. The world is a better is because of Vincent Gattullo and Staten Island is a better place because of Vincent Gattullo.”
Ken Mitchell, executive director of the zoo: “It’s really a wonderful day as we dedicate it to Vincent Gattullo. And when people ask me if Vincent Gattullo is still the executive director, I say ‘he is in spirit. And now people will see the sign in Vincent Gattullo’s name.”
Borough President Vito Fossella: “The Gattullo and Fossella family go back about 60 years. I got to know Vinnie as a kid. Vinnie was instrumental in creating the San Gennarro Feast in South Beach. That was the first time I saw how we could raise money to help kids in need and reminded us how important Vinnie Gattullo was to Staten Island. He wore many different hats. We take today to celebrate his life and what a great man he was. On behalf of my family and the Gattullo family, thanks for being here and celebrating Mr. Gattullo’s life.”
Richmond County District Attorney, McMahon: “I am privileged and honored to be the District Attorney on Staten Island and also honored to be here today with the Gattullo family as the street sign is unveiled. When you think about all the things he touched in his life, a husband, family man, father and great leader, his journey touched all the points of education on Staten Isalnd, not just as a science teacher, assistant principal, across all the public schools as a leader in science study, and here at the Staten Island Zoo where he started a legacy and now Ken Mitchell is doing a great job. Gattullo was a man who never held back. To Virginia, Diane, Madison, Steven, his siblings and on Staten Island we continue to cherish the life of Vincent Gattullo and thanks to Kamillah Hanks now we can put up the sign in his name. God bless the Gattullo famly and God bless you all.”
City Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks: “Doing street co-namings is such an incredible part of my job. They are an historic moment of who are the stewards of Staten Island and what they do. Thanks to Ken Mitchell and my colleagues and brothers in government, Vito Fossella, Michael McMahon and John Sollazzo. That’s what I love about Staten Island. I see the same faces because Staten Island is a small town. Vincent Gattullo, a dedicated educator and community leader, was inspired by his parents generosity. His life’s mission was investing in relationshipsand community. His legacy of community service lives on with his family and those he loved.”
Mark Irving, former director public affairs for Con Edison, was not present but offered his remarks: “Mr. Gattullo was one of the first community leaders I met when I became Con Edison’s director of public affairs for Staten Island. He gave me so much insight and guidance on navigating the socio-politico-cultural world of Staten Island that I started calling him ‘Uncle Vin.’ He was my ‘go to guy’ for advice. He was a man with a heart of gold and was always trying to make things better with whatever he touched. His sincerity was palpable. I was taught by my parents to always respect my elders. But I also learned that because you are older does not automatically make you wiser. To say that Vin Gattullo was a wise man is an understatement. But something that I gleaned from him is that you are not just wiser because of what you know what you know and what you’ve done but equally because of what you know not to do. A street renaming is a good tribute, a fitting milestone to serve as a marker for future generations to inquire and learn who helped put this community together... ...the good people who are the pillars of our community that make Staten Island as great as it is.”
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