David P. Trulli, lawyer and activist, dies at 81

DAVID P. TRULLI had his work cut out for him when he decided to run for clerk of Quarter Sessions Court in 1975.

For one thing, he was a Republican in a Democratic city, but worst of all, he was up against the wily and legendary Edgar C. Campbell Sr., one of the more powerful African-American political leaders in the city.

David needed a gimmick. He decided to enlist the help of his cat, Snoopy. In tongue-in-cheek campaign literature, Snoopy became head of United Animals to Elect Trulli Clerk of Courts.

Speaking for all cats, Snoopy declared, "We recognize Dave Trulli as a terrific human being . . . Whether you vote with your right paw or your left paw, be sure to Vote Trulli."

But even with Snoopy behind him, Trulli was swamped by Campbell in the Nov. 4, 1975, election.

David Trulli, a South Philly kid who grew up to be a prominent lawyer, city and state official and civic leader, died April 21. He was 81 and lived in South Philadelphia.

Over the years, he served as a special assistant attorney general, deputy state insurance commissioner and deputy city controller.

In politics, Trulli had better success against Henry J. "Buddy" Cianfrani in the race for the state Senate in the 1st District in 1966, losing by a scant 2,600 votes.

He was a former member of the 39th Ward Republican Executive Committee, but after the loss to Campbell, Trulli decided to stick with the practice of law. He was working until his recent illness.

David was born in Philadelphia to Darvino and Almaerinda Trulli. He graduated from South Philadelphia High School and went on to Villanova University Law School, from which he graduated in 1956.

As a deputy state insurance commissioner from 1967 to 1974, he was aggressive in ferreting out inefficiency and wrongdoing wherever it raised its head. It was this diligence that apparently led to a severe beating he received on May 29, 1969, when he was attacked by two men on Ellsworth Street near Cobbs Creek Parkway.

They beat him with a lead pipe, inflicting serious head wounds that required 26 stitches. He also lost three teeth. One man was arrested and charged in the attack. Investigators said at the time that they suspected the beating had been ordered by organized- crime figures to prevent Trulli from testifying in an insurance-fraud case, but that was never firmly established.

"He recovered from the attack and never mentioned it," said his son, also David Trulli. "He was the kind of person who kept to himself, and never complained. He was ill a lot longer than anyone knew."

In 1971, Trulli headed an investigation that discovered that auto-insurance companies were paying thousands of dollars in fraudulent or exaggerated claims from auto-body shops, doctors, lawyers and hospital personnel. He served as deputy city controller under Tom Gola from 1971 to 1974.

Trulli grew up across the street from the site of the future Veterans Stadium, the construction of which, as a leader of the South Philadelphia Civic Association, he opposed. He filed lawsuits against the plan but to no avail.

He was former head of the South Philadelphia Federation of Community Councils and Neighborhood Associations. The group fought the proposal to build the controversial Crosstown Expressway, roughly along South Street. The idea was later scrapped.

David was also active in the Sons of Italy and with his church, Stella Maris, where he was a lector. He married the former Gloria Felice in 1958.

Besides his wife and son, he is survived by another son, Robert; a brother, Stephen; a sister, Louise Mescolotto, and three grandchildren.

Services: Were April 26. Burial was in New St. Mary's Cemetery, Bellmawr, N.J.