December 8, 1922 (Archibald, PA) – September 22, 1984 (Norwalk, CT); 61 years old
Married to Mary Picanti (1922-2020) on April 19, 1947, in Norwalk, CT
One daughter, Linda A. Coolis Palmer Fortin (1950-)
Local address: 78 Van Buren Avenue
Enlisted on August 25, 1943
Discharged on December 23, 1945
Service number: 31338281
Unit: Battery A, 310th Field Artillery Battalion, 79th Infantry Division
Born to Joseph T. “Ted” [Army veteran] (1902-1980) and Mary Monko Coolis (1902-1986). One sister, Frances Coolis Chencharick (1921-1996).
From The Norwalk Hour August 28, 1944
PFC COOLIS CALLS FOX HOLE BEST FRIEND
PFC Joseph Coolis, son of Mrs. Mary Coolis of 2 West Avenue, tells of being in action in France in a letter received from him by The Hour. Part of his letter follows: “As a forward observer for the artillery, I have not missed much of the fighting over here, and you soon begin to realize that a foxhole is your best friend. For a while, digging a foxhole was just a bother, but after having been wounded for not having one, every chance I get now, I dig in. I am going to make sure I don’t receive any more Purple Hearts.” PFC Coolis was wounded in France in June. He entered the Army on August 25, 1943.
From The Norwalk Hour November 9, 1944
CPL JOSEPH COOLIS GETS PURPLE HEART
Joseph Coolis, son of Mrs. Mary Coolis of 2 West Avenue, who was wounded in France in June and awarded the Purple Heart, informs The Hour that he has been promoted from Private First Class to Corporal. Corporal Coolis fought at Cherbourg, Granville, Rennes, Laval, Lemans, Chares, and many other places. His outfit was one of the first to cross the Seine River.
From The Norwalk Hour September 24, 1984
Joseph Coolis, 61, of 42 Ferris Ave., died Saturday at home. He was the husband of
Mary Picanti Coolis. Born in Archbald, Pennsylvania, son of Mary Monko Coolis of Norwalk and the late Theodore Coolis. Mr. Coolis was a painter with Wesco Painting Co. Mr. Coolis was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II who was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. In addition to his wife and mother, Mr. Coolis is survived by a daughter, Linda Coolis, and a sister, Mrs. Frances Chencharick, both of Norwalk. Services will take place at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Ave., followed by a Mass of Christian burial in St. Mary Church at 10 o’clock. Interment will be private. Friends may call today from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Inurned at Fountainhead Memorial Park, 7303 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, Florida; Section number unknown. Photo from FindAGrave.com.
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