VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Grant Polluck met his late wife Janet in a quaint restaurant in Maynard, Massachusetts in 1955.
The Korean and Vietnam War Veteran said he was home early for the holidays. He recalled attending a Christmas party hosted by a company his mother worked for during the time. While sitting in the dining area conversing with his parents, a vibrant woman walked up and gently tapped him on his shoulder. She boldly asked Grant, “Do you want to dance sailor?” He quickly replied, “I certainly do.”
And just like that, the love story of Grant and Janet Polluck took flight. As the 93-year-old would tell it, the pair had an instant spark — but he still had no idea she was his wife to be.
“I started dating her right away,” he said. “I come home and see if Jan was available. We’d go out and have dinner or dance or go out and have a couple of drinks.”
The two quickly formed an undeniable bond and walked down the aisle three months after the Christmas party, and shared a happy life together for 63 years before she passed away. Janet died of respiratory complications.
“She had a little girl, 8 years old when I married her, and Sandy is my oldest daughter who lives in upstate New York nowadays,” she says. “And then we had two of our own, well, we had seven of our own, but we lost four to miscarriages.”
This time of year was always festive and filled with tradition for the Polluck household.
“I think the biggest holiday tradition was Christmas, and always getting ready for Christmas,” says Grant. “And what we could get for the kids for Christmas. That was the big thing! She was a good cook and she cooked so much better than her own mother. It was unbelievable.”
And that’s not all he remembers about his leading lady.
“The thing I miss most about my wife is she spoke her mind, wherever it was or with whomever it was,” says Grant. “And sometimes it was good, and sometimes it was bad. And we always had a good time together.”
Grant believes the key to a successful marriage is great communication and to never forget to say “I love you.”
Grant Polluck is currently under the care of the Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center in Virginia Beach.