Joseph Frank Pulice Sr.

Joseph Frank Pulice Sr., age 85, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2013, at Wheaton Franciscan –All Saints Medical Center.  Joe was born in Racine on May 19, 1928, son of the late Samuel and Angeline (Nee:  Marino) Pulice.

Joe attended William Horlick High School.  Joe also attended and graduated from The Roy Knapp School of Percussion, in Chicago, IL.  During the Korean War he proudly served as Sergeant First Class in the United States Army.  On November 6, 1954, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church he was united in marriage to Helen Mae Schuppe.   He was employed by Western Publishing Company for forty years, until his retirement in November 1990.  With his wife Helen, Joe owned and operated their music store, Pulice Music Unlimited, for over fifteen years.

Joe was an outstanding drummer who could have kept music his full-time profession. Joe was a wonderful drum teacher.  He taught private lessons to countless students right up until this past month. Joe marched with the Racine Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps during the early 1940s.   He also instructed the Kiltie Kadets in the late 1960s.   Joe played drums with many bands for sixty years.  He was the manager, drummer and driving force behind the John Bunic Big Band for over forty years.  Joe was a lifetime member of the American Federation of Musicians Union.

Joe was an active, lifelong member of Roma Lodge.  He will be fondly remembered for his famous, homemade DAGO red wine, which proved to be an award winner at the Wisconsin State Fair.  Music fulfilled Joe’s life, but most importantly he cherished time spent with his family. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Helen; his children, Mark (Peg) Pulice, Brian Pulice, Joey (Pat) Pulice; his four grandchildren, Cole and Sophia Pulice, Matthew (Becca) Houghton, and Sarah Houghton; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Hattie Schuppe, Robert (Venice) Schuppe; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Frydach.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, August 24, 2013, at 11 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Ave.  Private interment with Full Military Honors will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover, at a later date.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. (Roma Lodge service at 6 p.m.) and Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m.

A special thank you to Dr. Robert Gullberg and the staff at Wheaton Franciscan for their loving and compassionate care. 

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine  (262) 634-7888