Obituary of John Pulaski

John R. Pulaski, 92 years of age, passed away October 9, 2012 with a full heart and faith in Gods eternal love. Born June 28, 1920 to Nicodemus and Rachel Pulaski in Glens Falls N.Y., John was one of four boys. He is survived by one brother Len Pulaski and was predeceased by brothers Ed and Bob Pulaski. In 1959 John married the love of his life Virginia Fusco, after many wonderful years together Virginia passed away in 2010. John dealt with the loss of his wife with great difficulty as she had been his best friend, partner and helpmate. In time he adjusted to her loss and his new living accommodations at the Baptist Health and Nursing Center in Scotia. It was in 1960 that John and Virginia had their only child Lisa, later to become wife to Thomas Ford of Bristol N.H. John was not only a loving and devoted husband to Virginia but a wonderful father to his daughter, always full of encouragement and praise and interested in every facet of her life and growth. His son-in-law Tom was truly like a son to him, he gave him the same support and encouragement he showed his daughter, always so proud and interested to learn about their experiences and accomplishments and share his insight and wisdom. Difficult as it is to encapsulate Johns' life; the story began at Glens Falls to Schenectady N.Y. where the family moves in Johns' youth. His mother Rachel died at an early age when John was in his teens and the Great Depression subsided as World War II began. John enlisted in the United States Army to join the 26th Infantry Division under General Patton in 1942. He traveled to battles and campaigns in Algeria, French Morocco, Normandy, Northern France, Sicily, Rhineland and Tunisia. He was wounded in 1943 when his ship was bombed and his strength in his arms kept him swimming with shrapnel lodged in his spine rendering his legs temporarily useless. He was pulled aboard a nearby PT boat and recovered enough to return to service until his discharge in 1946. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, with WBZ Arrowhead, Purple Heart and World War II Victory Medal. Shortly after returning to Schenectady, John began what would be his lifelong employment at the General Electric Company where he was a machinist and made lifelong friendships as well. Some years later he and his father and brothers began to build the home in Glenville where John would live with his future wife and daughter for the many years to come. John took tremendous pride in his family and home, he was always very precise and systematic in every project he embarked on and did everything with great patience and accuracy. He enjoyed working with his hands and was very creative and artistic; he did many ink drawings in his youth and woodcarving in his later life. It was always with great respect and admiration that he appreciated anyone with these various talents and enjoyed learning about them. Many events and gatherings with family and friends were the high lights in his life, he so enjoyed eating the fabulous food prepared by his wife and others and savored every delicious mouthful. Often he and Virginia played cards with friends and bocce ball in the mild weather. For fifteen years or so John went regularly to the Greater Glenville YMCA to swim and exercise and socialize with both old and young. It was only until his late eighties when the physical effort became too great for him to continue. Many family vacations were spent at Lake George, Glen Lake, Cape Cod and in later years meeting up with his brothers and family in Naples Florida. There were also many visits to Galway Lake to visit with family at their camp where there was always more great food, bocce and poker games with lots of laughter and good old fashioned fun. The Immaculate Conception Church was very important to John, he and Virginia felt a strong bond with their parish family. His faith in God never faltered and he sang loud and strong at every mass and was ready to extend his hand with the sign of peace with heartfelt emotion to his fellow parishioners. John could not thank all of you who showed him so much love and kindness, especially in the struggles he endured in more recent years. Please know how grateful he was to have you touch his life and pray for him. Our family asks your continued love and kindness be shown to others in memory of him this day. All are welcome to join us Saturday, October 13th at 9:30 am at Immaculate Conception Church in Glenville for a Mass of Christian burial followed by a reception at the hall; Burial will be private at Most Holy Redeemer.