Joseph A. Pulaski, 95, born June 15, 1911 and passed away June 18, 2006 with his family at his side. Born on Churchill St. in Bucktown, Mr. Pulaski lived an amazing life full of grace, sincerity, clarity and a passion for living. He was awarded a scholarship to Quigley North High School which he attended until circumstances led him back to his neighborhood at Schurz High School. As the depression hit, Mr. Pulaski left high school to take a job at the Jewel Instrument Company as an Iron Boy and File Clerk. Due to his skills and positive attitude, he was recruited by Mills Industrial Application. As WWII came about, he was promoted to Group Leader making gun mounts for tanks and was working 12 hour days, seven days a week. However, he was most proud of his work on the 105 mm top gun line. Due to the long hours and strenuous work, he became the Union liason and was able to meet the needs of his line workers by working out labor disputes between the Union leaders and management. Throughout the war, he was a contractor for Teletype where he pioneered innovative solutions for the assembly line manufacturing transmitters. In 1955, he went to Teletype full time where he became a General Foreman and worked for 20 years until his retirement. He was active at his church, St. Charles Borromeo in Melrose Park as a lector, Bingo caller, Board member and Eucharistic minister. He was on his condo association and served as president until last year. Mr. Pulaski had many passions. He loved to go fishing and was a die-hard Cubs fan, but mostly, he was completely devoted to his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 65 years, Eva, nee Surges; his daughters Patricia (William) Kautz and JoAnn (John “Jack”) Heil; his grandchildren Paula (Michael) Peterson, James (Lyn) Heil; his step-grandchildren Pamela (Dr. Matthew) Nickerson and Robert Kautz. Mr. Pulaski adored his great-grandchildren Abigail and Joseph Peterson, Alexander, Brandon, Jaclyn and Julie Nickerson and Madison Kautz. Visitation 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home, 7319 W. Madison St., Forest Park, IL (2 blocks west of Harlem). Family and friends to meet Friday at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 1637 N. 37th Ave., Melrose Park, IL, where Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Info 708-366-2200.
