Col. George Joseph Pulicella, USAF retired, went home to his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 in Tualatin. He was 73 years old. His death was unexpected and he will be deeply missed by the countless family and friends he leaves behind.
George was born on March 12, 1939 in Portland to Anthony and Sarah (Warmoth) Pulicella.
George graduated for Oregon State University with a BS in Engineering and was a true “Beaver Believer” all his life. He was the first member of his family to earn a college degree.
George proudly served as a Navigator in the US Air Force for over 33 years, joining in 1961 and retiring from the Active Reserve in 1993. Over the course of his service, George won dozens of medals and awards including The Air Medal, The Air Force Achievement Medal, The National Guard Meritorious Service Medal, The Air Force Meritorious Service Medal and The Air Force Legion Of Merit – the highest medal conferred during peacetime.
George also had a long and distinguished career at NW Natural. He was hired after returning home from active duty and retired as the Manager of Customer Service 30 years later. Over the 3 decades at NW Natural, George earned countless departmental and company-wide awards.
He is survived by his wife and best friend of 49 years, Ginger. His brother Ralph and sister Priscilla Sawyer also survive him, while his brother, Lynn, preceded him in death. George is also survived by his sons, Anthony and Jeff Pulicella, his daughter, Erin Pulicella, his grandchildren Joshua, Lauren, Colin, Nicole, Courtney, Nicholas, Payton and Julianne; his nieces, Angie, Lynnell, Anita Garstka, Kim Olson and Michelle Fiala.
The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00AM Friday, Oct. 26th at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church located at 650 A Avenue in Lake Oswego. Burial will follow at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland with Military Honors.
A reception and celebration of George’s life will occur from 2:30-4:30PM Saturday, Oct. 27th at:
Kings Way Christian School – High School Worship Room – 3300 NE 78th Street in Vancouver.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in George’s honor to:
The Wounded Warrior Project
PO Box 758517
Topeka, KS 66675 or
Beaver Athletic Student Fund
123 Gill Coliseum
Corvallis, OR 97331