Joseph Pukas Obituary
Born Aug. 30, 1922, in New London to Polish immigrants, Anna Melnicki and Stephen Pukas, he was the little boy who spoke only Polish until kindergarten, the teenager who had perfect attendance in high school, and passed shop class with flying colors. He already had first-hand experience on jobs with his dad.
Joe sailed on the Thames River in his homemade sailboat and served with the Seabees in the South Pacific from 1943 to 1946.
He was the shy guy who took two years to kiss Mildred White who he married on July 1, 1950, at St Mary's Catholic Church in New London.
He worked as a union carpenter and job superintendent for 30 years for Elci Construction and was self-employed for 20 years.
During family picnics, he would lead a dozen cousins on hikes through the woods of Fort Shantauk and Mohegan Park. Ocean Beach was nothing without a trip to the creek with Joe. He could polka up a storm with Millie. On a pair of ice skates, he wowed us with his leaps and turns.
He visited his daughters' Coast Guard families in Governors Island, N.Y., Alaska, Washington, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, California, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, and blessed their homes with master carpentry skills, creativity, and his wry sense of humor.
He was a member of St. Joseph's Church for 47 years until after Millie's death on Nov. 13, 2003, when he joined daughter, Susan, then residing in California. His faith and trust in God has always been strong, and he was ready to go home to Abba and be reunited with Millie.
He was predeceased by sisters, Katherine, Stella, and Helen Di Rocco, and brothers, Stephen, John, and Henry.
He is survived by three daughters, Cathy Klingler of Maryland, Susan Gibson of Pennsylvania, and Ellen Arbour-Wilson of Niantic; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.
The funeral will assemble at 9 a.m. on Wednesday from the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London, and proceed to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Montauk Ave., for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London. His family will receive relatives and friends from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to VNA Hospice, PO Box 2404, York PA 17403.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Kerry Corcoran Morth
June 8, 2011
Dear Cathy, Susan, and Ellen,
I was so sorry to read about the passing of your dad. What great memories climbing over the wall to play in the doll house he built and eating pears from the tree in your back yard. Please accept my condolences and I wish I could have come to calling hours to see all of you but had to work.
David Gibson
June 3, 2011
When I look back on my Grandfather’s life, I see similarities with another Joseph. Our Joe and the biblical Joseph were kind and religious men. Both were carpenters by profession. They were adoptive fathers of sorts, and they loved and raised that child as their own. One of them had churchs named after him, and the other attended such a church most of his life. And while it’s safe to say the biblical Joseph wasn’t Polish, our Joe would probably respond to that by saying “we can’t all be perfect.” One difference of course is that our Joe will probably never receive the title of Saint…but for those of us who really knew him, he is the closest thing to a Saint that we will meet in our lifetimes.
Toula Buonocore
June 1, 2011
Cathy, Susan, and Ellen, my sympathy on the loss of your Dad. May your hearts be filled with all the wonderful memories you have of him, and your Mom. God Bless, Toula
Jim & Jane Shifflett
June 1, 2011
Dear Susan and Family, We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Our prayers go out to you and hope that your fond memories of Joe give comfort during this difficult time.
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Mary Smolenski
June 1, 2011
So sorry to hear about Joe, loved bowling with him.
Sue Cabral
May 31, 2011
El and family, so sorry to hear about your dad. He is among GODs angels now. He is always with you and your memories will always be with you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kathy Menghi
May 30, 2011
Ellen and family(ies) sorry to hear of the loss of Joe! Both he and Millie were meant to be together. Although I never realized they did the polka I know they both were so much in love.
May god bless you all. Please give my regards to Mo also, I miss seeing everyone around.
James Plowden
May 30, 2011
Sorry to hear about your dad, Ellen and Sue and family. (South Dakota)
James Plowden Friend of Ellen
Eleanor (Brown)Whalen
May 29, 2011
Our family lived in a duplex with the Pukas family. This was during the 1940's. Joe was really good to his Mom and he was a great carpenter even way back then. I remember the day he went into the Seabees. We got letters from him when he was in the Pacific during WWII. Rest in Peace, Joe.
May 29, 2011
Susan and family-
So sorry to read about your Dad. Know that he will always be in your hearts and the memories will be with you forever. Heaven has received another angel to watch over you all.
Terry (Feliciano) Crawford
Pat Jullarine (Phillips)
May 27, 2011
Ellen, Sue, Cathy and families, Sorry to hear of your dad's passing. You are all in my thought and prayers. He and Millie are now strolling the boardwalk together again (maybe even a little polka).
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