Tomas B. Puyans

Tomas “Tommy” Buenaventura Puyans, age 93, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2022 in Paoli, PA. He was predeceased in April 2019 by his cherished wife Concepcion “Conchita” Puyans after 62 years of marriage.

Tommy’s life was the embodiment of the words sacrifice, perseverance, hard work, family and friendship. He was a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle, mentor to countless cadets at Valley Forge Military Academy, and a true friend to so many.

Tommy was born on May 7, 1928 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. He was the youngest child of Tomas and Concepcion Puyans and the much loved brother of sisters Emy and Mimi. During his childhood Tommy and his family moved to Havana, Cuba. His beloved mother passed away when he was 13 years old. He attended the Colegio De La Salle in Havana. After high school he studied at two colleges in the United States – Valley Forge Military Academy and Junior College in Wayne, PA and Texas A&I in Kingsville, TX. At VFMA he excelled at football and baseball. At Texas A&I Tommy’s study of animal husbandry helped prepare him for his career upon returning to Cuba, where he ran his family’s large sugarcane and cattle ranches near Santiago de Cuba.

Tommy met the love of his life Concepcion “Conchita” Mendieta in Santiago de Cuba, and they were married in August 1956. Tommy and Conchita started their family in Cuba, and in April 1963 immigrated to the United States with their three young children Emy, Conchi and Tomas. Recognizing that he would need to make a career change, Tommy arranged to have a job at Valley Forge Military Academy and Junior College, where he had studied fifteen years prior. He and his family settled in Wayne, PA and soon welcomed their fourth child Katrine.

He worked at VFMA for over 40 years and became a beloved figure at the Forge. He served in numerous roles including Mess Officer, Tactical Officer for H Company, and Recruiter of the Academy’s many Latin American cadets. H Company was for the youngest cadets, 7th/8th graders who gave him the nickname of “Papa Puyans”, which he was called until he left the Academy. At his retirement Tommy had reached the rank of Brigadier General in VFMA’s military rankings for staff members.

After retirement Tommy spent time traveling to Europe and China with Conchita, enjoying his weekday morning coffees with friends in Wayne, and exercising at a gym. He also spent time with Conchita spoiling their nine grandchildren, rooting for the Phillies and watching his favorite animal and cooking shows.

Tommy’s children and grandchildren will deeply miss “Papi”/“Boli”. He is survived by his four children Emelinda “Emy” (Jerry) O’Connell, Concepcion “Conchi” (Chip) Mulvany, Tomas (Patti) Puyans, Catalina “Katrine” (Tim) Wagner, nine grandchildren - Matthew (Ania) O’Connell, Michael O’Connell, Maggie O’Connell, Meghan Mulvany, Chipper Mulvany, Tommy Puyans, Tony Puyans, Brian Wagner and Scott Wagner, and one precious great-granddaughter Natalie O’Connell.

The Puyans family sincerely thanks the staff of Daylesford Crossing Senior Living Community for their care of Tommy.

Donations in Tommy’s memory may be made to the Valley Forge Military Academy Foundation. See https://www.vfmac.edu/donate/ .