Awww, the shy guy ... nice.

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.