It is with heavy hearts and a deep sense of loss that we bid farewell to Brian J. Puckett, a man who was very special to a lot of people.
Brian was the loving husband of Juliana Kaltsounis Puckett, happily wed for 23 years. As a father to Stella, Julia and Vasilios, Brian was their biggest fan and the ultimate playmate. His love for his family was tremendous and extended to relatives, coworkers, neighbors, and friends.
Brian is survived by his wife, three children, and parents, Bill and Janice Puckett; in addition are his brother, Christopher Puckett, his wife Melissa, and their two children, Sarah and Benjamin; his in-laws, Bill and Stella Kaltsounis; and a large extended family and abundance of friends.
Our beloved Brian Jefferey Puckett passed away suddenly on December 27, 2023, at the age of 49. Brian was born in Columbus, Ohio on January 31, 1974, and was raised in the Houston, Texas area. A graduate of John Foster Dulles High School in 1992, Brian was an excellent student of the sciences, and passionate about soccer. As an undergraduate, he attended the University of Texas at Austin and was on the men’s soccer team. Upon completion of a pre-pharmacy curriculum, Brian focused on pharmacy as a profession at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy. His clinical pharmacy studies were completed at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. It was there that he met the love of his life, Juliana, as she was teaching one of his labs. Brian was conferred with a Doctorate degree in Pharmacy in 1998. Upon completion of pharmacy school, Brian went on to complete a pharmacy practice residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and then a Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy Fellowship at University of Florida Health Science Center in Gainesville, Florida.
Brian and Juliana developed an amazing relationship, having so much in common, which would lead to their wedding on May 28, 2000. Upon completion of his fellowship, he and Juliana would move to Richmond, Virginia, where Brian became an Assistant Professor and Clinical Scientist in the Department of Pharmacy and Internal Medicine (Cardiology) at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical College of Virginia Campus. After four years of teaching, Brian would reignite his passion for clinical medicine and apply to medical school. He attended Medical College of Virginia and graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 2009. Soon after graduation, he would complete a post-doctoral fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University in Emergent Cardiac Care/Therapeutic Hypothermia. Throughout all his academic and professional career, he served in several leadership roles and was a dedicated member to many professional societies, in addition to his active involvement as a Police Surgeon.
In 2012, Brian and Juliana would decide to move to New Hope, Pennsylvania, for Juliana to pursue a leadership opportunity with Bristol Myers Squibb in nearby Princeton. Within a few months of moving, a neighbor would introduce Brian to the Chief Executive Officer of BioPharm Communications in New Hope, which would be the start of a wonderful career in medical education. Brian became a Medical Director, Senior Medical Director and then Vice President of Medical Strategy. He adored his work colleagues and the ability to connect with so many clinicians around the country and play an active role in medical education across numerous disease states.
In addition to his accomplished career, Brian was an avid lover of soccer. He supported all three children in the sport from pre-school to high school as a coach, referee, and/or fan. He also was a big supporter of the local soccer club, Patriot FC, and the Philadelphia Union.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all friends and well-wishers for their support during this difficult time. Funeral services were held on January 5, 2024, at St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church at 85 Voorhees Corner Road, Flemington, N.J. Brian was laid to rest at Rosemont Cemetery after the service. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the National Pancreas Foundation in honor of Dr. Brian J. Puckett, PharmD, MD.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Garefino Funeral Home in Lambertville, N.J.
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