James A. Puckey

AUBURN- Jim Puckey’s heroic battle with cancer ended on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Impossibly brave for almost three years, Jim departed this world, surrounded by his loving family, for heaven, where he will live eternally pain free.

Born on Sept. 4, 1958, in New Hartford, N.Y., Jim was the cherished son of Bruce Puckey and Norma (Seemann) Pinto. His early years were marked by a deep love for music, learning both the guitar and trumpet, as well as a passion for football, baseball, and softball. Jim graduated from Oriskany High School, N.Y., in 1976.

Jim dedicated 33 years (1977 – 2010) to the U.S. Navy. He spent eight years, eight months, active duty, stationed in Florida, Pennsylvania and finally Brunswick, Maine, and was discharged with honors as an E5 in 1985. Following his military service, Jim spent over two decades as a civilian contractor at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, specializing in the P3 flight simulator and training pilots on how to run it. After the base closure in 2010, Jim embraced a second career working as a Senior Manager and Trainer at Carbonite in Lewiston. Jim retired in 2018 and worked as a Ranger at Fox Ridge Golf Course.

Jim was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Kristen and Jessica, through his first marriage to Bernadette Murphy. In 1995, Jim met the love of his life, Christina Spugnardi-Puckey, and they spent 28 wonderful years together as a blended family.

Everyone who knew Jim, knows his spirit was larger than life. He put his family above all else, and “family” included anyone who walked through his door, because that’s how you felt when he greeted you.

He had an uncanny ability to talk with almost anyone, about any subject, intelligently. He made friends easily, and maintained them through his unwavering motto “you have to be a friend to have a friend” and that, he was. He is remembered by his many “Jim-isms”, and incredible wisdom, always knowing just the right thing to say. Jim was known for his take-charge, can-do attitude, and never failed at accomplishing anything he set his mind to.

Jim was an outdoor enthusiast and enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing and boating. He loved nothing more than spending his summers at the Barclay Beach on Androscoggin Lake teaching countless children to waterski. He also enjoyed bowling and his many classic cars. Jim was a talented musician, playing bass in multiple bands, producing music in his home recording studio, and running sound for many local bands. Jim enjoyed traveling, and spoke enthusiastically about his trips to Jamaica and India.

Predeceased by his parents and his fur-children, Elvis, Sam, Charlie and Gritty, Jim is survived by his stepfather Tony Pinto, his dedicated wife Christina, his loving daughters, Kristen and Jessica and his cherished sons-in-law, Melric and Derick, as well as his adoring grandchildren – Kieran, Liam, Aislyne, Jeremiah, Sagan, Charlotte and Mason who lovingly referred to him as “Beepaw”. Jim was the oldest of six children, leaving behind his loving siblings and their spouses, John and Karen Puckey, Jeffrey and Shannon Puckey, Robert and Susan Puckey, Shari and JB Kruzinski and Katie and Colin MacKenzie as well as his sister-in-law Kathleen Bisson and her husband Dave, along with many nieces and nephews who will continue to cherish his memory.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff at the Central Maine Cancer Center and the Androscoggin Hospice House for their exceptional care and unwavering compassion during Jim’s final journey.

Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects on Thursday, January 11, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., at Pinette Dillingham and Lynch Funeral Home, 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway, Lewiston. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Church, Lewiston, on Friday, January 12, at 11 a.m.

Jim’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. #TeamPuckeyPower

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Jim Puckey Memorial Fund,” a scholarship for graduating seniors at Oriskany High School. Donations can be sent to the Oriskany Alumni Association,

P.O. Box 906,

Oriskany, NY 13424,

with a reference to

“Jim Puckey Memorial Fund.”