Birth date: Jul 9, 1952 Death date: Dec 24, 2011
Peter Paul Puzak II Peter Paul Puzak II of Arnold, MD passed away at his home on Saturday, December 24, 2011. He was 59. Peter, known to friends as “Zak”, was born on July 9, 1952 in Erie, PA. He was soon adopted by loving paren Read Obituary
To the Puzak family- May Peace Be With You.
Coach Puzak was my basketball coach in middle school with Julia. What a wonderful coach! He improved my skills taught us the meaning of teamwork and his motivation lead us to win championships. I will never forget these fun times that I had on his team. His memory will live on in our hearts. R.I.P Coach Puzak <3
~Kaitlyn Coriell
So sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with Pete at the Health Department when he first started. I remember he was always sweet to me and we would make small talk about golf and the Redskins, probably the only two things we had in common. I was so sad to hear the news and my thoughts are with you and your family. Debbie Laird
I was walking back to West Hall from the Tiger's Lair when I heard a voice from above say "Hey." I looked up and there sat Zak, up in a tree with a drunken Cheshire Cat grin on his face. I asked him what the heck was he doing up there and he just shrugged. It was such a picture that I could point you the very tree to this day. I lost touch with Alpha for many years, but ever since returning to the fold I have asked about Zak. I learned that he and Tom Herbert golfed together and that he usually showed up at the Alpha Open. As I don't golf I haven't seen him in over 20 years, but as I sit here, I'm looking at a set of clubs I bought from a friend year before last. Zak was on my mind when I bought them. Sorry I'll never get to embarrass myself with my pledge brother. Alpha '72, Jeff Saunders
I felt bad that I was unable to be present at Zak's wake/funeral. My deepest sympathy goes out to Patty, his family, and all his friends from present and past. I knew Zak when we were kids and played Silver Hill Boys Club baseball and basketball but he was two years older so we mostly only played pick-up games with the guys in Hillcrest Hgts/Marlow Hgts. I felt great to just be playing with those guys at 11-12-13, Jimmy O'Neill, Jim Osbourne, the Bruders, the Cusatos, Mike Coughlin, and Mike Fedorko. My mom always marvelled when we went to the Boys Club banquets and she said that Peter Paul Patrick Puzak won ANOTHER award! He was a gifted athlete as a kid in baseball, basketball, and bowling.
I really got to KNOW Zak at Towson when I pledged Alpha Fraternity when he lived with Lou D. and Bruce Coleman at Perring Manor Apts. We became friends and went to TSC/TSU functions, played frisbee, frat flag football, playing spades (going mellow!) and poker, and homecoming dances. I remember the car accident he was in and a brick came through the driver's window and hit him. Zak's mouth was wired shut for several weeks and he couldn't talk well. I called him Mumbles. After college, Zak and I actually bowled duckpins together out near Security Square Mall. We always dreamed of getting in the pro duckpin triples with Coleman but distance and circumstances never allowed it. Those were great times in our 20s during and after TSC/TSU.
God Bless you Zak - be at peace! Jerry McIntosh
I've known Pete for close to 30 years in his job at the Health Department. In all of those years, he could be gruff, tough, and no-nonsense - and underneath it all it was clear to me that I was dealing with a great guy. I had the pleasure of playing in a golf tournament or two with Pete in the foursome, (best ball) and he of course, saved our fannies around every turn. We talked about his daughters and that would always put a smile on his face. He was very proud of his family, and I know that this is a tremendous loss for them, and for all that were lucky enough to call Pete a friend.
Carole Sanner
Zak was my Brother and roommate in those luxurious Dutch Village apartments and also in Cockeysville. We worked together and played together and even wound up in Key West once- briefly, so many years ago. He taught me to shoot pool (by beating me every day for a year.) He was superb at every sport he played, and could laugh and play cards all night. I knew his Dad- a great guy, who would be shocked at this way too early departure. Patty's truly a saint, and Zak loved his wife and daughters well. I will always remember him pushing his glasses back into the bridge of his nose, and his brash laugh.
Like many of his friends I have known Pete for 40+ years. I was his “big brother” when he pledged our fraternity at Towson State College where he and I as well as an untold number of mutual friends “grew up”. He was a truly unique individual who, as others have mentioned, was very comfortable in his persona.
He was a very good golfer and having mentioned that I was on the wrong end of his “magic wand” way more times than I want to remember. He dearly loved his Redskins never, ever giving up on them despite their repeated poor performances over the past few years. Over the last 15 years or so he would visit me regularly at my office in Annapolis and we would talk about sports, politics, our families, our mutual friends or just “days gone by”.
As so many others have also noted Zak was incredibly proud of his daughters ……… and constantly referring to Patty as “the best thing that ever happened to him”.
I WILL miss him and remember him always.
Tom Herbert
God bless you Pete and your family always!!!!!
I met Zak shortly after starting at Towson. As fellow pledges and brothers, his sense of humor, although unusual at times, and his personality is what drew people to him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Family.
Phil Reed
