UXBRIDGE, Mass. — Joseph Pulkkinen, 64, husband of Diane Bunker Pulkkinen, died Oct. 9, 2014, at Milford Regional Medical Center following a brief but gallant battle against cancer.

Born in Boothbay Harbor on March 3, 1950, he was the son of Matti J. and Pauline E. Thompson Pulkkinen.

After moving with his family to Owls Head, Joe was educated in local schools and was a 1968 graduate of Rockland District High School. He attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

Joe and Diane were married in Rockland on June 15, 1971.

For many years, Joe enjoyed his work as senior programmer analyst for Dean Foods Inc. in Franklin, Mass. Even during his recent illness, he could often be found with his laptop working on another project.

He was the ultimate family man, working hard to make sure his family had everything they needed. When he wasn't working, Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, whether it was at home, on vacation, at concerts, sporting events or taking trips to Maine.

Joe is remembered by his family as a man with a great sense of humor, generous, kind, compassionate and hard working. They said, "he had three loves – his family, his dogs and his work."

In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by a daughter, Michelle Diane Pulkkinen, on May 10, 1998. He is survived by his beloved wife, Diane C. Bunker of Uxbridge; his daughter, Heidi Jo Pulkkinen of Rutland, Mass.; four brothers, Karl Pulkkinen and his wife, Jane, of Gloucester, Mass., Alan Pulkkinen of Irving, Texas, Dana Pulkkinen and his wife, Joan, of Nashua, N.H., and Mark Pulkkinen and his wife, Megan, of Bremerton, Wash.; one aunt, Caroline Simmons of Port Charlotte, Fla.; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Friday, Oct. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland, where a service in celebration of Joes’ life will be held immediately following, at 6 p.m. A committal service will be held Saturday, Oct. 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Matinicus Island Cemetery. Travel to Matinicus will be available via the M/V Sunbeam, departing from the Rockland Ferry terminal at 8 a.m. Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Owls Head Baptist Church, P.O. Box 81, Owls Head, ME 04854, or Matinicus Cemetery, c/o Matinicus Town Clerk, P.O. Box 198, Matinicus, ME 04851.