Dr. Brad Puckey was an inspiration to all who knew him. Brad grew up in Johnstown and graduated from Richland High School. He was a gifted athlete and fierce competitor on the football field and basketball court. He took those traits to the United States Army, serving his country and representing his community and family. His service as an intelligence analyst for four years included deployment overseas in Honduras.

After his service in the Army, he was determined to further his education. He put himself through college, earning his bachelor’s degree in economics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Despite Brad’s humble beginnings in life, he accumulated more than 30 years of experience in the field of brand management and analytics, becoming a partner of CoreBrand Analytics.

He was a well-respected innovator and creative thinker in the field. He returned to college to further his education at the University of South Florida where he earned a doctor of business administration degree.

Brad was a friend to many. He and his friends loved Pittsburgh sports teams, and he brought joy to everyone who knew him with his wit and amazing sense of humor. His tragic battle with his health at the end of his life revealed how much he was loved by his wonderful group of friends, who thought of him as their family and cared for him like a brother.

Brad fought valiantly at the end of his life, striving to keep his hopes up–dreaming that he would one day be able to teach and coach football when his health issues were behind him. Tragically, he passed away two days after Veteran’s Day this year at the age of 53.

Allison Felix remembers her cousin. “Brad and I were only one month apart in age.  Our mothers were best friends, so our families spent a lot of time together when we were young. My husband, Don, also knew Brad when he played football against him during junior and senior high school. He always said that Brad played with more heart and passion than any player he knew. He and Brad reminisced later in life about their memories of playing football together and shared many laughs about the drubbing Don took from Brad when they met on the football field,” continued Felix.

To honor Brad’s memory, Felix has established the Dr. Brad Puckey Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation to provide an opportunity for others to come to know Brad, his legacy of overcoming obstacles, his love of country, and his incredible perseverance. The hope is that this fund provides support for individuals like Brad who have served their country and community and are seeking to better their lives through education.

This scholarship is for students graduating from a high school in Cambria or Somerset county, who have military experience and are interested in furthering their education in an economics or business major.

“We chose to work with the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies because we are familiar with your incredible work and amazing people. We know firsthand the impact you make in the community, “ said Felix. “We are blessed to have your organization working in our region.”

To make a safe and secure online gift to the Dr. Brad Puckey Memorial Scholarship Fund, click here. To learn more about how you can create a fund to honor a loved one, click here.