He lived fully and gave freely
MALDEN — Joseph Pierce Puciloski, 28, of Malden passed away on June 22 from injuries sustained in a plane crash in Beverly on June 19. He was surrounded by his beloved fiancée Jill Hadwen and his loving family.
Born on March 26, 1997, Joe grew up in East Meadow, New York. He was the cherished son of Robert and Elaine (Miloscio) Puciloski.
Joe graduated from East Meadow High School in 2015 and went on to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Computer Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. At Stevens, Joe was not only an accomplished student and resident assistant, he also met the love of his life Jill Hadwen on a school-sponsored ski trip during their sophomore year. The couple became engaged just days before his passing. Joe loved Jill deeply and the ring on her finger is a symbol of that enduring love. Together, they dreamed of a life filled with joy, buying a home, raising children, growing old hand in hand.
Joe had a rare combination of boyish charm and an old soul. He was effortlessly good at everything, sometimes to the frustration of those around him. He found his professional home as a Lead Software Engineer at Disney Streaming where he combined talent, curiosity and passion for solving complex problems. In the world of software engineering, Joe found his niche.
A former high school lacrosse player and track sprinter, Joe’s more recent passions included cycling, running, hiking and skiing. He joined the Idle Hands Brewery Running Club and loved competing in local races. He completed his first triathlon two years ago, despite barely preparing for the swim. Jill watched nervously as he entered the water, only to see him crawl to shore ahead of many first-heat swimmers. Joe had one speed and that was fast.
This year, Joe was excited to add Fitness Instructor to his list of accomplishments. At Hinge Fitness in Melrose, he devoted himself to helping others reach their full potential. Though fiercely competitive, his truest joy came from lifting up those around him, except when it came to board games. In a five-year streak, Joe single-handedly prevented Jill from winning Catan even once.
Joe’s skills in the kitchen were mixed. When he had the opportunity to go clamming, he enjoyed bringing back dozens of little-necks to share a meal with family and friends. He could make really good blueberry muffins and eggplant parmesan, but sometimes he got too creative with his cookie recipes. Each year, he and Jill hosted a Christmas cookie swap. His recipes, often featuring bananas, coffee grounds and gochujang ensured there would be leftovers.
Wherever he went, Joe brought a can-do spirit and boundless generosity. On ski trips, he made sandwiches for everyone in the house. When someone needed help with a home project, he showed up with tools in hand. When a gym bike broke, he fixed it. Joe’s sister Emily counted on him for help with her taxes and for bringing the muscle for each of her many moves. He lived fully and gave freely.
Joe was the best best man. He filled his life with adventure, curiosity and connection. He took the family tradition of fishing trips seriously welcoming friends and Jill’s family into the fold. He enjoyed traveling to the corners of the world with friends, trying new foods and seeking new experiences. But it was people who mattered most to him. While so many adored Joe, he adored Jill above all.
On the day of the accident, Joe was on his way to a camping trip in the Adirondacks. The plane went down shortly after takeoff. It was Joe’s first time in a small aircraft and he didn’t know the pilot well. Still, he was happy and excited when he left home that morning. What he looked forward to most wasn’t the camping, it was simply spending time with friends, new and old. That was the kind of person Joe was.
Joe’s sudden passing leaves a profound emptiness. There were so many adventures yet to come, milestones yet to be reached. And yet, his 28 years were rich with joy, impact and love. Each life he touched is better for having known him. Even in death, Joe gave selflessly, his decision to become an organ donor gave others a second chance at life.
Joe is survived by his fiancée Jill Hadwen; his parents Robert and Elaine (Miloscio) Puciloski; his brother Chris Puciloski and sister-in-law Jen Hertig; and his sisters Emily Puciloski and Jen (Puciloski) Silvey and brother-in-law Ben Silvey. He is also survived by his nephew Max Puciloski; his niece Delilah Silvey; and his niece Kaylin Silvey who was born several weeks before Joe’s passing.
A memorial service was held in East Meadow, NY on June 26. A second memorial will be planned in MA for his many friends. Updates will be shared through the GoFundMe established in his name. To honor Joe’s memory and support Jill through this unimaginable loss, donations may be made at tinyurl.com/JoePuciloski.