PULCINI, John V., Commander, USN (RET) at age 91 of Sarasota, FL and Natick, MA passed away on January 4, 2025. Born in Hyde Park, MA., he was the son of late Salvatore and Maria (Albani) Pulcini. The son of immigrant parents from the Rome area, John completed his eight-year elementary education at St. Raphael School in Hyde Park under the tutelage of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Into his senior years, he often remarked about his admiration of the sisters, crediting them with teaching him English and for being a major influence in his early development. John was a 1950 honors graduate of Boston English High School, a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Class of 1954 and of Suffolk University School of Law, Class of 1971. A Korean war veteran, he entered the United States Navy in 1951 serving his country with distinction for 23 years in the active and reserve forces at sea on various ships and at overseas duty stations, retiring at the rank of Commander.
In his civilian career, John was a member of the Massachusetts Bar admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Massachusetts. John provided unique skills and expertise serving as the senior corporate security official at MIT Instrumentation Laboratory and the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory of Cambridge, MA.; serving as Corporate Security Director at Norton Company of Worcester, MA.; Saint-Gobain Corporation of Paris, France and Boston Scientific Corporation of Natick, MA. He was a former Boston Chapter Chairperson of the American Society for Industrial Security and was a founder, first President and first Board Chairperson of the International Security Management Association, a renowned international body of professional security executives and advisors to governments, corporations, and businesses. He was also a member of the Military Officers Association of America, and of the American Legion. After long and successful multiple careers, John retired, settling in Sarasota, FL; he continued his travels around the globe, frequenting Italy to trace his ancestral origins, and to Spain to spend considerable time with Spanish friends of many years, who were extensions of his own family.
John’s passions were his love of European languages, of the sea, of American, European, and Ancient Roman history. He had a special fondness for American western films. In the classroom, John had mastered the study of Latin, Spanish, French and his first language, Italian. He advanced his proficiency in the latter three languages during his six-year residency in Europe, serving his country. John was a devout, traditional Roman Catholic with a great admiration and respect for the Hebrew Faith, its people, and its traditions.
Having taken up golf at retirement, but admittedly never excelling at it, John persisted at the game for enjoyment and social networking. Always a continually active person, he loved most meandering by the sea in Falmouth, MA, the Maine coast, Longboat Key and Sarasota, FL.
John is survived by his loving wife, endearing companion, dedicated caregiver, and best friend of many years, Donna M. (Sola) Pulcini of Sarasota and Natick, formerly of Roslindale, MA, and by his four daughters, one stepson, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by a wide range of special friends and by military and business associates upon whose camaraderie he placed immense value.
Funeral Service arrangements will be coordinated by George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 447 Washington St. Wellesley, MA. A private interment ceremony with full military honors will occur at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be made to The National Kidney Foundation (kidney.org), or to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20017, or to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, 40 West. Dr., Nazareth, Kentucky 40048.