Donald M Puza

Donald M. Puza, 82, died Friday, April 30, 2021 peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Don was born in Holyoke on April 8, 1939 to the late William Puza Sr. and Victoria (Kuzel) Puza. He grew up in Westfield and attended Holy Trinity School and Westfield High School, where he graduated in 1957. He served in the 104th Tactical Fighter Group of the U.S. Air National Guard based at Barnes Airport. He was activated and sent overseas during the Berlin Crisis from 1961-1962. Don started work at a young age for the family business, Pure Food Market, which moved to Southampton in 1964. Don also spent many summers as a lifeguard at Puza Park in Westfield, one of his favorite memories to talk about. Don moved to Southampton in 1965 where he started his family. He served the community proudly as a Southampton Special Police Officer for many years. He had a passion for classic cars, motorcycles, westerns, a good Polka and don’t forget the hot dogs and kielbasa! Don was proud to support hundreds of local organizations and was named Southampton’s Citizen of the Year in 1999. Don was a friend to so many, always welcoming you with a big smile, a strong handshake, and a loving hug. He was passionate about his business but loved spending his free time at the lake and making memories with his family. Don leaves his wife of 55 years Theresa (Fortier) Puza, his children Lisa Heath and her husband Ed of Southampton, Bekki Owens and her husband Don of Springfield, Tennessee, Vicky Puza-Allen and her husband Jim of Southampton and Josh Puza and his wife Stacy of Chesterfield. Don always believed “family first” and was so proud to pass that onto his loving grandchildren Brendan, Harley, Creed, Jesse, Taw, Cuinn and Odin. Don also leaves behind his sisters Dolores Wolfe of Southampton, Marcia Placzek of Saco Maine and his sister in law Patricia Fortier of Brewster, MA, as well as many loved family members, friends, employees and customers who he considered to be part of his extended family, and to all those that he touched with his kind heart. Don was pre-deceased by his siblings Joan Slipkowski, William Puza Jr. and Leonard Puza. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, May 4 from 4-8 pm from the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. A Funeral Mass will be held in Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 33 Adams Street, Easthampton at 12:15 pm on Wednesday, May 5th. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery 1390 Main Street in Agawam. Any donations can be made in honor of Don to the “Don Puza Scholarship Fund” c/o Easthampton Savings Bank, 36 Main Street, Easthampton, Ma 01027. Firtionadams.com

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