Thomas Ray Puffer, 91 years young, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2022, at his University City home in San Diego, California. He is survived by his loving daughter Lisa, grandchildren Camber, Alex, Skye Robinson, Joel, and Aaron, great- grandchildren Alexander, Jack, Brian and Nicholas, nieces Gay, Melanie, and Ann Ray, former son-in law Brian, and Tom's close companion, Ms. Bobbie Pearson of El Cajon, California. Tom was preceded in death by his beloved son Richard Scott and wife Patricia Puffer.
Tom was born in Buffalo, New York on March 13, 1931, to Mildred and Ray Puffer. He was a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, a college-preparatory high school in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania and Hamilton College in Clinton, New York where he received his bachelor's degree in history. Tom later obtained a graduate certificate in Industrial Relations at the University of California.
In 1957, Tom joined the non-profit San Diego Employers Association (SDEA) after proudly serving in the United States Marine Corp as an Infantry Captain. During his 50-year tenure at SDEA, Tom led the organization for many years as its Managing Director, President and Chairman of the Board. He was a highly respected and recognized expert in the fields of collective bargaining and labor-management relations. As a management negotiator, Tom represented hundreds of employers in labor contract negotiations throughout Southern California such as the San Diego Zoo, Coca-Cola, Bartell Hotels, NAASCO, San Diego Blood Bank and the iconic Mr. A's restaurant.
Tom also enjoyed serving as the Chairman of the San Diego County Teamsters Employers Insurance Trust which provides medical benefits to thousands of union workers and their families. He taught Industrial Relations at the University of San Diego and was past president of the San Diego Active 20-20 Club and the Executive Association of San Diego.
He was also a member of the Presidents' Roundtable and an Honorary Deputy with the County of San Diego Sheriff's Department. A life-long member of the Republican party, Tom was a past Treasurer of the San Diego County Republican Committee.
On Sundays, Tom was devoutly committed to two of his life's greatest passions-his faith in God and the Chargers. A member of the Anglican Church, Tom at the youthful age of 75, became an altar boy. He was a die-hard Chargers fan, having attended almost every home game before the team moved to Los Angeles, including the team's very first game at Balboa Stadium in 1961.
Tom will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Funeral services were held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church on December 2, 2022. The Church is located at 2051 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, California 92107.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Nov. 27, 2022.
Tom was born in Buffalo, New York on March 13, 1931, to Mildred and Ray Puffer. He was a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, a college-preparatory high school in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania and Hamilton College in Clinton, New York where he received his bachelor's degree in history. Tom later obtained a graduate certificate in Industrial Relations at the University of California.
In 1957, Tom joined the non-profit San Diego Employers Association (SDEA) after proudly serving in the United States Marine Corp as an Infantry Captain. During his 50-year tenure at SDEA, Tom led the organization for many years as its Managing Director, President and Chairman of the Board. He was a highly respected and recognized expert in the fields of collective bargaining and labor-management relations. As a management negotiator, Tom represented hundreds of employers in labor contract negotiations throughout Southern California such as the San Diego Zoo, Coca-Cola, Bartell Hotels, NAASCO, San Diego Blood Bank and the iconic Mr. A's restaurant.
Tom also enjoyed serving as the Chairman of the San Diego County Teamsters Employers Insurance Trust which provides medical benefits to thousands of union workers and their families. He taught Industrial Relations at the University of San Diego and was past president of the San Diego Active 20-20 Club and the Executive Association of San Diego.
He was also a member of the Presidents' Roundtable and an Honorary Deputy with the County of San Diego Sheriff's Department. A life-long member of the Republican party, Tom was a past Treasurer of the San Diego County Republican Committee.
On Sundays, Tom was devoutly committed to two of his life's greatest passions-his faith in God and the Chargers. A member of the Anglican Church, Tom at the youthful age of 75, became an altar boy. He was a die-hard Chargers fan, having attended almost every home game before the team moved to Los Angeles, including the team's very first game at Balboa Stadium in 1961.
Tom will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Funeral services were held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church on December 2, 2022. The Church is located at 2051 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, California 92107.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Nov. 27, 2022.
Thomas Ray Puffer, 91 years young, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2022, at his University City home in San Diego, California. He is survived by his loving daughter Lisa, grandchildren Camber, Alex, Skye Robinson, Joel, and Aaron, great- grandchildren Alexander, Jack, Brian and Nicholas, nieces Gay, Melanie, and Ann Ray, former son-in law Brian, and Tom's close companion, Ms. Bobbie Pearson of El Cajon, California. Tom was preceded in death by his beloved son Richard Scott and wife Patricia Puffer.
Tom was born in Buffalo, New York on March 13, 1931, to Mildred and Ray Puffer. He was a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, a college-preparatory high school in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania and Hamilton College in Clinton, New York where he received his bachelor's degree in history. Tom later obtained a graduate certificate in Industrial Relations at the University of California.
In 1957, Tom joined the non-profit San Diego Employers Association (SDEA) after proudly serving in the United States Marine Corp as an Infantry Captain. During his 50-year tenure at SDEA, Tom led the organization for many years as its Managing Director, President and Chairman of the Board. He was a highly respected and recognized expert in the fields of collective bargaining and labor-management relations. As a management negotiator, Tom represented hundreds of employers in labor contract negotiations throughout Southern California such as the San Diego Zoo, Coca-Cola, Bartell Hotels, NAASCO, San Diego Blood Bank and the iconic Mr. A's restaurant.
Tom also enjoyed serving as the Chairman of the San Diego County Teamsters Employers Insurance Trust which provides medical benefits to thousands of union workers and their families. He taught Industrial Relations at the University of San Diego and was past president of the San Diego Active 20-20 Club and the Executive Association of San Diego.
He was also a member of the Presidents' Roundtable and an Honorary Deputy with the County of San Diego Sheriff's Department. A life-long member of the Republican party, Tom was a past Treasurer of the San Diego County Republican Committee.
On Sundays, Tom was devoutly committed to two of his life's greatest passions-his faith in God and the Chargers. A member of the Anglican Church, Tom at the youthful age of 75, became an altar boy. He was a die-hard Chargers fan, having attended almost every home game before the team moved to Los Angeles, including the team's very first game at Balboa Stadium in 1961.
Tom will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Funeral services were held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church on December 2, 2022. The Church is located at 2051 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, California 92107.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Nov. 27, 2022.
Tom was born in Buffalo, New York on March 13, 1931, to Mildred and Ray Puffer. He was a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, a college-preparatory high school in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania and Hamilton College in Clinton, New York where he received his bachelor's degree in history. Tom later obtained a graduate certificate in Industrial Relations at the University of California.
In 1957, Tom joined the non-profit San Diego Employers Association (SDEA) after proudly serving in the United States Marine Corp as an Infantry Captain. During his 50-year tenure at SDEA, Tom led the organization for many years as its Managing Director, President and Chairman of the Board. He was a highly respected and recognized expert in the fields of collective bargaining and labor-management relations. As a management negotiator, Tom represented hundreds of employers in labor contract negotiations throughout Southern California such as the San Diego Zoo, Coca-Cola, Bartell Hotels, NAASCO, San Diego Blood Bank and the iconic Mr. A's restaurant.
Tom also enjoyed serving as the Chairman of the San Diego County Teamsters Employers Insurance Trust which provides medical benefits to thousands of union workers and their families. He taught Industrial Relations at the University of San Diego and was past president of the San Diego Active 20-20 Club and the Executive Association of San Diego.
He was also a member of the Presidents' Roundtable and an Honorary Deputy with the County of San Diego Sheriff's Department. A life-long member of the Republican party, Tom was a past Treasurer of the San Diego County Republican Committee.
On Sundays, Tom was devoutly committed to two of his life's greatest passions-his faith in God and the Chargers. A member of the Anglican Church, Tom at the youthful age of 75, became an altar boy. He was a die-hard Chargers fan, having attended almost every home game before the team moved to Los Angeles, including the team's very first game at Balboa Stadium in 1961.
Tom will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Funeral services were held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church on December 2, 2022. The Church is located at 2051 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, California 92107.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Nov. 27, 2022.
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