Joseph M Puzycki passed away peacefully August 21, 2022 at his home in Bellefonte, PA surrounded by his family. He was born on June 14, 1958, in East Haven, CT.
He is survived by wife of 35 years, Andrea (nee MacKenzie, Bellefonte, PA), son Edward Jacob (Berkeley, CA), daughters Ana Bess (Seattle, WA) and Dori Jeanne (Pittsburgh, PA). The youngest child of the late Edward and Jeanne (nee Parsons) Puzycki. Brother of Lynn Kling (New Oxford, CT), Stephan Puzycki (Guilford, CT, with wife Donna), and Barbara Puzycki (deceased). Uncle to many beloved nieces and nephews. Brother-in-law to many cherished sisters and brothers.
Graduate of East Haven High School, Milford Academy, and Shippensburg State University (BS 1981, MS 1984). At Ship, Joe was the co-captain of the 1981 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship football team (winner of the Lambert Cup and ECAC Division II Team of the Year). He was honored with the Ray Ellis Fighting Heart Award.
Joe began his Student Affairs career at the University of Delaware (1984-1992), later joining the Penn State University Student Affairs staff (1992-2017). He started his career at Penn State as an Associate Director of Residence Life (supervised by Gail Hurley) and ended his career as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. Joe was an integral contact for students in crisis and found purpose in his work with the Behavioral Threat Management Team.
He was described as “the heart behind the bricks and mortar at Penn State”.
Joe is a founding father of MFI. Since 1985, the men of this brotherhood, including his father (“The Pope”, Ed Puzycki), have supported each other in their best and hardest moments.
Joe and his family were embraced and supported through the end of his life by the MFI brothers, loving neighbors, phenomenal Grane Hospice caregivers, and many many colleagues and friends. The Puzycki family will not forget these kindnesses and we extend our deepest gratitude to you all.
On-line condolences at www.kader-neff.com.