Peter Pugliese, Md

Peter Thomas Pugliese, MD, 94, of Jefferson Township, passed away Friday, January 15, 2021 in his residence.  He was the husband of the late Joanne E. (Rhode) Pugliese.   Born in Reading, Dr. Pugliese was the son of the late Mark W. and Mildred E. (Ford) Pugliese. In addition to his wife, Dr. Pugliese was predeceased by four brothers, and last month, his sister, Dolores Lapham.

Dr. Pugliese is survived by his children, Steven M., husband of Sasha Pugliese of Bernville; Patricia L., wife of James Rentschler of Reading; and Susan L., wife of Patrick Sickafus of Strausstown. He was preceded in death by his son, Peter M. Pugliese.  Dr. Pugliese is also survived by his grandchildren, Michael Q. Pugliese, Steven C. Pugliese, MD, Garman R. Pugliese, Lauren Zezenski, Ethan, and Kiara, and his great grandchildren Sage, Ava, Samuel, George.  Also surviving is his brother Mark Pugliese, husband of Gayle Pugliese of Fleetwood, and three generations of nieces and nephews.

Dr. Pugliese was a member of Saint Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church, and a former student at St. Margaret’s school. At the age of 90, Dr. Pugliese volunteered to teach six months of confirmation classes. He was a patriot who served in the United States Marine Corp during World War II, and the Korean War as a Sargent in The United States Army.

The world-renowned skin physiologist, inventor of 13 patents and author of hundreds of industry publications and presentations leveraged a lifelong curiosity to pioneer innovations that elevated and transformed the science and business of professional skincare.

An authority, innovator and entrepreneur in the fields of cosmetic chemistry, ingredient formulation and precision skincare, Dr. Pugliese began his career as a physician in 1957. His passion for scientific discovery and humanitarian causes led to contributions well beyond the medical office. From inventing apparatus for measuring blood glucose concentrations to measuring moisture content of skin and enzyme activity, his efforts contributed to scientific advancements benefitting human and veterinary technologies.

As a humanitarian he self-funded and implemented the first successful methadone clinic, treating prison inmates addicted to heroin in the 1960s. A champion of the environment a half-century before sustainability became mainstream, he published reports about the toxic environmental offsets of the industrial economy. His published articles on topics such as the prevalence of berylliosis among factory workers were referenced by researchers around the world.

Beyond his medical practice, research, and scholarly publications, Dr. Pugliese was a pioneer in advanced aesthetics, which became the professional passion project of his life. Beginning in the late 1970s he became a fixture at the world’s leading gatherings of ingredients, formulation and cosmetic science events, including the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, American Academy of Dermatologists, Society of Bioengineering and the Skin, Society of Investigative Dermatology, American Association Advancement of Science and more. In 1996, he was awarded the Mason G. deNavarre Medal Award, The American Society of Cosmetic Chemists highest honor.

Nearly 50 years after beginning his career as a physician Dr. Pugliese founded Circadia by Dr. Pugliese, a skincare system based on the circadian rhythms of the body and the science of chronobiology. Circadia became the first product manufacturer to introduce topical ingredients proven to work with the body’s natural circadian rhythms.

A craftsman who employed his head, heart and hands to make the world more beautiful, Dr. Pugliese was a talented woodworker who enjoyed designing and crafting well into his tenth decade of life. As a patriot, Dr. Pugliese served his nation in the United States Marine Corps and United States Army. Amid a life of service to industry, community and country, Dr. Pugliese remained committed to his role as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

A public viewing will be held in Bean Funeral Home, 129 East Lancaster Avenue, Shillington, Friday, January 22, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated privately by the family at Saint Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church, 925 Centre Avenue, Reading.  Private interment with Military Honors rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery.  The family request that social distancing and wearing of facial covering be respected on Friday January 22, 2021.  Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.