Paul Martin Puletz

After bravely battling Parkinson’s Disease for 11 years, Paul Martin Puletz, 85, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on November 19, 2023, with his loving wife Jane Hoffmaster Puletz by his bedside. Paul was born on September 25, 1938, in New York City, the eldest of Martin and Mary Puletz’s five sons. Paul grew up in Elmhurst, New York, and was a track star at St. Ann’s Academy where he was Captain of the Cross Country Team and broke the meet record for the one-mile run at the Bronx-Manhattan-Westchester Indoor Meet and broke his school’s record at the Catholic High School Athletic Association Championship at Madison Square Garden in 1956. He attended St. John’s University in Queens, New York, on an athletic scholarship. On May 28, 1960, Paul married his high school sweetheart, Renée M. Patin, to whom he was married for 30 years until her passing in 1990. After a brief honeymoon, Paul graduated from St. John’s on June 12, 1960, with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, and weeks later, reported to Quantico Marine Corps Base for Officer Candidate School. Upon completion, Paul attended The Basic School. Paul’s 10 years of honorable and faithful service in the United States Marine Corps, during which he achieved the rank of Major, included a Mediterranean Cruise aboard the U.S.S. Mountrail from June to December 1966, two tours in Vietnam, and numerous assignments throughout the United States. In 1970, Paul was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the Combat “V” device, which reflects a recognition of valor in armed conflict. After returning to Quantico in 1969, Paul and Renée settled in Dale City, Virginia, where they raised their growing family. Paul continued his public service with the U.S. Customs Service. He retired in 1999 as the Director, Program Management Staff for the Office of Enforcement after 30 years with the agency, and a total of 40 years of service to our nation. After Renée’s passing, Paul was introduced to Jane via mutual friends. They were married in 1992 with their combined family of eight children and two grandchildren in attendance. Paul could be found most weekends tinkering on one of the family’s cars or spending time with family and friends on his boat – first The Silver Lining, and later, The Encore. Paul and Jane also enjoyed hosting family and friends at their beach house in Nags Head, North Carolina. Paul is survived by his wife, Jane; his four children: Eileen (Walter) Johnson, Michele (David) Eckhardt, Suzanne (Tryst) Hensell, and Paul (Teri Falck) Puletz II; eight grandchildren: Amanda (Milena) Savich, Tristan (Gladys) Vidamo, Matthew Hensell, Danielle (Daniel) Carr, Paul John (Christine) Puletz, Stephen Hensell, Peyton Eckhardt (Bryce Leygraaf), and Daniel Eckhardt; and six great-grandchildren: Ethan, Delilah, and Ariel Vidamo, Leighton and Everleigh Carr, and Kai Puletz. He is also survived by four stepchildren: Steve (Annette Debo) Agnew, Karyn (Marni) DeLeon, Lauri (Skip) Mobley, and John (Liz) Agnew; seven grandchildren: Kristine, Zac, Sam, Jonathan, Ben, Emma, and James; and two great grandchildren, Ellie and Remy. Paul is also survived by brothers Stephen (Michelle) Puletz and Matthew (Fran) Puletz, and nephews Christopher, Brian, and Michael Puletz, and niece Kimberly (Puletz) Adler. In addition to his first wife Renée, Paul is predeceased by his parents, Martin and Mary Puletz, and brothers, Martin and Vincent Puletz. Visitation will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia on Thursday, November 30, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., immediately followed by a funeral Mass at St. Louis and a reception. Interment will be at Quantico National Cemetery on Friday, December 1, at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.michaeljfox.org). Should you choose to make a donation, please include this email address so we may acknowledge your donation: [email protected] Look for the Silver Lining, Paul To join the livestreaming of the funeral services, please click the following link: https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-paul-m-puletz-riwidz5i7b0ae1zfzv7c