Bryan “Jackie” E Puckett passed away on July 13, 2016 of natural causes brought on by many health problems. He was 69 years old.
He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years Frances L (Anderson) Puckett of West Gardiner, ME; daughter Julie P Puckett of Waterville, ME; granddaughters Tatiana “Shelly” M and husband Robert Alfano of TX, Ariana and husband Andrew Findlay of CO, Ciana “CeCe” Puckett of CO and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his Step-Siblings; Paul Sherwood and his wife Dot of Orland, ME, Fred Sherwood and wife Brenda of GA, Stephen Sherwood of FL, Brenda MacDonald of Dedham, ME; several very special nieces and nephews and their families.
Bryan was predeceased by his mother Geneva (Perkins) and Step-father Robert Sherwood of Orland, ME, as well as his adopted sister Annette Shorey of Bucksport, ME.
Bryan served world-wide in the US Army for over 21 years, retiring on January 31, 1995.
He loved anything having to do with the outdoors to include climbing and trimming trees, bonfires, canoeing, and primitive camping and exploring the State of Maine.
He obtained his Maine Guides Licene and guided many friends and family members, just for fun.
He enjoyed doing research in the Maine State Archives and Library for anyone that wanted more information on special people and other subjects, just because he enjoyed doing it for people.
He mentored many friends and family members to help make them better people I many ways, to include two local Eagle Scouts.
Bryan was self-taught in the art of restoration and preservation of cemetery headstones for the Town of West Gardiner, ME. He also helped with the Maplewood Cemetery in Orland as well as large project for Piscataquis County for the tiny village of Chesuncook. Although he was paid by Piscataquis County and the Town of West Gardiner, he normally gave his payment to the young people who participated and helped with these projects, He did this because he felt he was giving back to the communities in which he lived and loved; all the while, mentoring these young minds.
Bryan was a giver, a helper, a learner all of his life. It has been said that he “gave himself away” to anyone that needed it.
A graveside service with Military Funeral Honors will be held on Monday, July 18, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, he asked that donations be made to: “Friends of the Maine Wildlife Parks,” PO Box 1231, Gray, ME 04039 – Please make checks payable to above with reference to “In Memory of Bryan Puckett.”