Brian West, the longtime community relations manager for Publix and a familiar, friendly face across Plant City, Tampa Bay, and Central Florida, has died following an accident over the weekend. His wife, Jennifer West, shared news of his passing on social media Monday, asking for privacy as she and their three children grieve in the days ahead.
According to friends, West was injured in a serious accident while preparing for his son’s going-away party ahead of the young man’s departure for West Point. He passed away shortly after.
For many in the Tampa Bay area, West’s face was practically synonymous with Publix itself. He appeared on local news broadcasts for years as part of the Cereal for Summer drive, and community members regularly saw him at major local events.
He helped kick off the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic this past February, and he was a familiar presence at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds, where his work and generosity left a lasting impression on attendees and organizers alike.
But those who knew him say his impact extended well beyond his professional role. West dedicated countless hours to community service throughout the region, work that friends describe as a defining part of who he was.
He served as a liaison for the Plant City Lions Club before later joining the Rotary Club, and he supported a wide range of local causes, including the United Food Bank and Dancing with the Locals.
He was also closely involved with Smile Day at the Florida Strawberry Festival, an event for people with disabilities, and maintained a longtime connection with the Chris Wellborn Karate School.
Tributes pour in from organizations he touched
The karate school shared a heartfelt statement following news of his death, describing the West family as a cherished part of their community for many years.
They noted that Brian and his family had supported students, encouraged programs, volunteered their time, and invested in the people around them, calling him the kind of father who showed up and cared deeply, leaving a positive impact wherever he went.
The Florida Strawberry Festival also paid tribute, writing that the community was grieving the loss of a man whose kindness, generosity, and servant’s heart touched countless lives.
The organization said his impact could not be measured by titles or accomplishments, but by the people he encouraged, the friendships he built, and the difference he made simply by showing up for others.
West’s wife, Jennifer West, serves as principal of Cork Elementary School. The couple has three children together.
West had also previously served as president of the Florida Public Relations Association, an organization that has likewise honored his memory and his years of contribution at the state level.
Friends say he was deeply moved by the outpouring of support online, noting that the kind words shared by community members reflect the lasting impression he made through a life dedicated to others.
Among the details friends have shared since his passing is that West was an organ donor, meaning his final act continued his pattern of generosity by helping others even after his death.
Since news of his passing spread, dozens of community members have shared tributes and personal memories on social media, reflecting on West’s warmth, his dedication to Plant City and the greater Tampa Bay area, and the example he set as a husband, father, and community leader.
