Stories Around the Lake
Interviewee: Paula Pugliese (Great Grandma)
By: Olivia Murdock
“Be nice and kind and tell the truth.”
Mrs. Paula Pugliese has lived in Cooperstown for over 69 years and grew up in Africa. In 1947, she came to Cooperstown to meet all of her husband's family. Her husband was in World War 2 and rescued Paula from Africa. She had to risk her life by leaving her whole entire family: her mom, her brothers and sisters, her grandparents, aunts and uncles and only got to see them one or two more times after she got rescued. She spent the rest of her life in Cooperstown. Her family is Angelo, her husband, and she had three children who are Mary, Rose, and Ralph. Mary lived in Cooperstown her whole life and died in her early 50’s from cancer. Rose lives in Saratoga, NY with her husband Bill, and Ralph lives in Michigan. Paula worked at Cooperstown Central School as a cashier in the cafeteria. She owned a shop called the, “Paula Shop” in Cooperstown where she sewed clothes and made alterations to clothing.
Her favorite story she told was when she worked at the Paula Shop. She would be willing to do anything for anyone. She never said, “No,” to anyone.
Her other favorite story that she told was about the question, “What advice would you give to young people today?” She said, “Never let anyone put you down. Always be nice. Don’t be rude, always be nice and kind. And always tell the truth and never take anything from anybody without asking!”
Listen to Mrs. Pugliese’s interview to hear this amazing woman’s story of her life here and in another country.
