PORTSMOUTH — It was nearly 65 years in the making, but Robert Pecunies can call himself a high school graduate.

Yet, Pecunies, 83, has been able to call himself a number of other things over the years, including veteran, husband and father.

Few moments, however, will be able to match the one he had Wednesday afternoon, when nearly 70 years after dropping out of school in the ninth grade, Pecunies was awarded with an honorary degree from Portsmouth High School – the same high school he was supposed to graduate from in 1949.

“It’s unbelievable,” Pecunies said, clutching and kissing his diploma. “I could almost cry.”

Earlier this month, Pecunies graduated from Adult Education in Kittery, Maine, after completing necessary requirements for the equivalent of a high school degree.

Awarding an honorary degree isn’t a typical function, according to incoming Superintendent Steve Zadravec, who awarded the degree to Pecunies.

“It’s not something we do every year,” Zadravec said. “We only do it when we find that deserving individual. What he’s done these last 12 months is impressive and so is his own reflection on his life.”

Pecunies grew up in the Puddle Dock neighborhood that now features Strawbery Banke Museum, working at the Wentworth by the Sea hotel before joining the U.S. Navy when he turned 18. Pecunies did several stints on a ship in the Mediterranean and served in the Korean War. As part of his graduation requirements, Pecunies reflected on his own life, writing an autobiography detailing the various chapters: childhood, school years and adulthood.

“I never wrote like that a lot growing up,” Pecunies said. “I didn’t have confidence in myself. I didn’t think I was smart. (The adult education teachers) showed me how to learn.”

Pecunies said that an infatuation with sports, specifically basketball and baseball, curtailed his schooling the first time around. This time, however, Pecunies developed a passion for reading – specifically anything history related, biographies are his preference.

Pecunies said he had thoughts over the years about going back and completing school, always thinking he was able to do it but never committing, letting that doubt resurface and prevent him. Yet, about 18 months ago, while living in Kittery, Pecunies received a form about adult education and the motivation rushed back into him.

“I was in their office filling it out the next day,” Pecunies said.

Nearly two years later, Pecunies was celebrating with his high school degree from his hometown, joking about the next challenge.

“Harvard here I come,” Pecunies said with a laugh. “You folks gave me a lot of confidence. Confidence I never had before.”