It is incredibly heartbreaking news. Brian West was truly a pillar of the Tampa Bay and Central Florida communities, known to so many as the friendly, comforting face of Publix for nearly 25 years.
He passed away following a severe accident over the weekend while preparing a going-away party for his son, who was about to leave for West Point.
Beyond his visible role as Publix’s Media and Community Relations Manager—where he kicked off local staples like the Gasparilla Distance Classic and heavily supported the Florida Strawberry Festival—he quietly gave an immense amount of his time to local causes. He served with the Plant City Lions Club, the Rotary Club, and the United Food Bank of Plant City, always showing up with what friends and colleagues describe as a true “servant’s heart.”…