Joseph Pacunski

Joseph "Joe" Thomas Pacunski went to be with his Lord and Savior and his beloved wife Mildred "Millie" Arlene Pacunski on April 22, 2024. His memory lives on in his three sons Robert Eugene (Janina) Pacunski, Charles Martin (Jeanie) Pacunski, and John Michael (Alison) Pacunski; his grandchildren Andrea Lynn Pacunski, Emily Grace Pacunski, John Joseph Pacunski, Aster Matthew Robert Pacunski, and Charles Joseph Pacunski; and many beloved family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Constantine and Emily Pacunski and sister Constance Irene Land.

Joe was born on September 30, 1937, in Manhattan, New York. Upon graduating early from high school, he promptly enlisted in the United States Navy on January 25, 1955, where he proudly served aboard the USS Rook, the USS Missouri, and several other vessels until September 1958. After his honorable discharge in 1963, he studied at the Santa Clara Technical College before going on to work for various construction and electrical engineering firms around the world-including Russia, Egypt, Puerto Rico, and Alaska. In 1958, Joe met Millie in San Francisco, California, and they were married on September 5, 1959. They lived in Irving, Texas before moving to Seattle in 1972, then lived in Puerto Rico, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, before settling in Port Orchard, Washington in 1994. After Millie's passing in 2020, Joe moved to Las Vegas to be close to his son, John, and his family. Every breath of his life was devoted to serving his family-attending events for his children and grandchildren, introducing new foods to his grandchildren, taking his family to see his favorite musicians at Benaroya Hall, retelling grand stories of his travels, and providing a safe and inviting home for family gatherings. There were always big hugs and smiles, bright-white hair, dapper outfits, and a wonderfully booming laugh that will be greatly missed during holidays.

He was affectionately known around all the communities he lived in as the go-to person to fix any household item and took pride until his death being the local handyman, greeting every person with his wide smile. He also took great pride in serving at various Catholic churches in his communities and was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. His wit, smarts, and dedication to his community made him beloved to anyone who knew him.

He devoted his life to helping others, and his family and friends will miss him terribly. We are grateful for the long, well-lived life of the father, grandfather, and friend Joe was. A joint celebration of life for Joe and Millie will be held in the fall of 2024 at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Washington State with more details to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of their favorite charities in their name: The American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Koman Foundation, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, and/or the ASPCA.