A donor of ordinary means can make an extraordinary difference through planned giving. This is the inspiring story of Mr. Larry Fullerton, a thoughtful and generous donor who has done just that.
Mr. Larry Fullerton of Big Run, PA, passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at age 79. In his estate, Mr. Fullerton made a transformational gift to UPMC Children’s Child Advocacy Center. This program provides compassionate care to children who have survived abuse and neglect. Mr. Fullerton’s generous estate gift exemplifies how everyday people can have a profound impact on the lives of children and adolescents at UPMC Children’s.
Humble Beginnings
Mr. Fullerton came from humble beginnings in Punxsutawney, PA. Those who knew him best knew him by his kindness, tenacity, humor, and adventurous spirit. He showed strength in the face of adversity as a child when he contracted polio. This is the event that first connected him with UPMC Children’s. His father was a coal miner of modest means and feared the family could not afford the necessary treatment. But young Larry was brought to our hospital, where he received the medical care and support he needed to make a full recovery. He went on to play football at Punxsutawney High School, graduating with the class of 1959.
Mr. Fullerton eventually left the U.S. to answer an inner call to adventure. He traveled to Canada and boarded a cattle boat bound for Portugal. There, he worked picking apples to save enough money to traverse Europe. He found work as a civilian contractor for the US Air Force in Germany and in England. In London, he met and married the love of his life, actress Shiranee Josephine.
Shiranee’s acting dreams brought the couple back to the United States. They led a relatively normal life in California. Mr. Fullerton found success as a computer programmer at Worlds of Wonder Toy Company and Columbia Records, and eventually Union Bank of California, where he would retire. Mourning the loss of his wife in 1978, Mr. Fullerton came home to Pennsylvania. He settled in Big Run, a town full of family memories. There, he contributed wholeheartedly to the local community through his involvement with the Methodist church and the Big Run Historical Society, and he remained close friends with many of his former school mates.
A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
Mr. Fullerton’s closest relatives describe him as a man who was always thinking, always planning. He even kept a drawer filled with greeting cards and gifts for all occasions — birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and more. At a moment’s notice, he could have a card and a gift ready for anyone in his life. He put this very same deliberation into his legacy planning, ensuring that even when he passed on, he would have a lasting, positive impact on the lives of others — specifically, children receiving care at the same hospital where he recovered from his childhood illness.
Related: UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation Launches Legacy Challenge
The Foundation extends our deepest gratitude to Mr. Fullerton, his family, and all those who helped to establish his legacy of generosity. We also extend our gratitude to all our planned giving donors, who approach their philanthropy with the same thoughtfulness and compassion as Mr. Fullerton.
Flex Your Will Power
Each August, we celebrate National Make-a-Will month, creating the perfect opportunity to make sure your estate is in order and your intentions are clear. As you think about the people and causes close to your heart, please consider including a gift to UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation in your will. Learn how.