91, passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at his home in Cranston. He was the loving husband of Olive C. (Pagliarini) DiFranco, his wife of 65 years.

Born on January 25, 1926 in Warwick, he was the son of the late Antonio and Beatrice (Marsocci) DiFranco, He graduated from Lockwood High School in Warwick in 1942. 

Tullio enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 14, 1944, and served during World War II in the Philippine Islands and in Occupied Japan as a Corporal with the 139th AACS as an electronic technician for radio, radar and radio teletype until 1946.  He also served as a 1st Sgt. during the Korean War from August 14, 1950 to April 12, 1952.  He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, with BTRY A 705th AAA Gun BN. 

He was a member of the Rhode Island Army National Guard from February 27, 1947 to January 25, 1986, rising from the rank of Corporal to Chief Warrant Officer 4. 

During his time in the service, he earned numerous ribbons and medals, including the Legion of Merit Award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements, and the Minutemen Award from the Rhode Island Army National Guard.

After his retirement from the military, he ran Central Stores at the University of Rhode Island from 1981-1984.  He also worked as a Population Protection Planner for the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency from 1984 through 1989, when he retired.

He loved traveling, and visited many countries around the world including Italy, Northern Europe, Russia, Japan and China, as well as much of the United States, including Alaska, with his wife, Olive.  

He was a member of the Association United States Army (AUSA); the Rhode Island Chapter Military Order of Foreign Wars (MOFW) (Commander 1980); Providence Marine Corps Artillery (PMCA); RING Retirees Association- Charter member; and the Infantry Lodge.

He is survived by his daughters Debra Ann Thomson and her husband Richard of Johnston, Linda Marie Murray and her husband John of Douglassville, PA and Julie Beatrice DiFranco and her fiancé John Cragin of Cranston.  He was the grandfather of John F. Murray and his fiancée Melissa Jandovitz-Church, Edward J. Murray and his wife Melissa, Matthew P. Gormley and Kelly Annis, Capt. Christopher J. Gormley and his wife Patricia, Jessica R. Harris, Anthony T. Harris and his wife Allison, and Lindsey O. Harris and her fiancé Zach Phillips.  He was the great-grandfather of Nadia A. Cosper, Riley J. Harris, Jadyn Murray, Joseph Murray, Tayla Annis, Matthew K. Gormley and Lorelai Gormley.  He was predeceased by his brother, Carmine DiFranco and his wife Evelyn, and his two sisters, Philomena Pucino and her husband Frank, and Genevieve Ricard and her husband Raymond.  He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. 

Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston on Wednesday at 9:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick.  Burial with Military Honors will take place in R.I. Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter.  VISITING HOURS are Tuesday from 4 - 8 p.m.

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