Edward Pugliesi PhD, age 94, was born and raised in Detroit by parents Frank and Antonia. He was a vocational teacher and department head in the Detroit Public School for 30 years, retiring from Henry Ford High School. His second career was as a senior exhibit designer at Henry Ford Museum for 18 years. Edward learned to fly while attending Cass Tech High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corps as soon as he turned 18 years old. He was trained as a combat glider pilot and flew troops into Normandy on D Day the 6th of June 1944. He earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with oak leaf clusters. He was an avid pilot in his own plane until his death.
Edward is survived by Phyllis Bush, sister Virginia Drabicki, son Gregory (Theresa) Pugliesi, daughter Julie (Archie) Gittins and grandchildren Jonathan Gittins, Jennifer (Joshua) Miller and Joshua (Rebecca) Pugliesi, and great grandchildren Ethan & Remi Miller and Robert Pugliesi. He was preceded in death by his brother Joseph Pugliesi and and son David Pugliesi.
Visitation Monday, Jan 21 from 10am-2pm with a funeral service at 2pm at Harry J. Will Funeral Home, Livonia.