World War II veteran reveals all-American secret to living a long life as he turns 103
a WWII veteran who celebrated his 103rd birthday last weekend shared his secret to a happily ever after.
Frank Pugliano Sr. from Washington Township, Pennsylvaniawas surrounded by friends and family at Boyce Park, just outside Pittsburgh, to celebrate this incredible milestone.
“The best day of my life,” he told the local ABC affiliate WTAE. ‘I never thought I would be here at 103, given what I’ve been through. You never know. A lot of my friends never made it, but I did.”
The seasoned veteran has lived quite a life. Pugliano emigrated at the age of six Italy to the United States. He attended Penn Hills High School, where he met the love of his life Mary Strough.
After graduating high school in 1942, Pugliano immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for three years in the Pacific theater. He survived a torpedo attack by the Japanese during his convoy mission to Luzon in the Philippines.
Frank Pugliano Sr., a World War II veteran from Washington Township, Pennsylvania, was surrounded by friends and family at Boyce Park, just outside Pittsburgh, to celebrate his 103rd birthday.
After graduating high school in 1942, Pugliano (pictured) immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for three years in the Pacific theater. He survived a torpedo attack by the Japanese during his convoy mission to Luzon in the Philippines
He was honorably discharged in 1945. After returning home from the war, Pugliano married high school sweetheart and raised two children together. They were married for 65 years before she died in 2011.
Now that Pugliano is three years into his centenary, he is self-sufficient. He mows his own lawn, does his own housework and plays several instruments, including organ, harmonica, electric guitar and saxophone.
He worked as a diesel mechanic, specializing in heavy equipment. In his last 15 years, he was employed at the High View Acres 55 and older residential community to maintain the clubhouse until the age of 98.
Three years into his centenary, Pugliano is self-sufficient. He mows his own lawn, does his own housework and plays various instruments
On his 100th birthday, Pugliano said TRIBLive that he owes his health to ‘good Italian genes’ and stays active.
‘I’ll stay busy. I mow my own grass. My diet is what I want to eat, I eat,” he said.
This year, however, Pugliano revealed to WTAE two other All-American secrets to longevity and happiness: eat dark chocolate and drink Coke.
“The doctor told me, ‘Whatever you do, do it,’” Pugliano said.
