William Purcell

08/29/2006

William Purcell, 69, of 343 Main Road died Tuesday at home of lung cancer. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., on Feb. 19, 1937, son of William and Mary Ellen McCaffrey Purcell, he attended schools there. He had a summer home in Monterey from 1969 to 1997, when he made it his permanent residence. Mr. Purcell was employed by ABC TV as an air-conditioner engineer for 10 years, retiring in 1992. Before that, he was a lieutenant in the Fire Department of New York, retiring in 1984 after 25 years of service. He also was a former ski patrolman at Butternut Basin. He was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Church in Mill River. A licensed captain in the U.S. Power Squadron, he made many trips along the East Coast, including four to the Bahamas. He was an amateur radio operator (KF2SX) and a fan of country music. He and his wife, the former Kathleen Killeen, were married in Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Bronx. Besides his wife, he leaves four sons, William Purcell of Kent, Conn., and John Purcell, Daniel Purcell and Raymond Purcell, all of Bronx; a daughter, Kathleen Layton of Lee; three brothers, Richard Purcell of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., Patrick Purcell of Surf Side Beach, S.C., and Owen Purcell of Pleasantville, N.Y.; a sister, Maureen Carr of Scarsdale, N.Y.; and seven grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for William Purcell, who died Tuesday, Aug. 29, will be Friday, Sept. 1, at 10 from BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Valley Church, Sheffield, at 11 celebrated by the Rev. John Lis, pastor. Burial will follow in Corashire Cemetery, Monterey. Calling hours will be today from 4 to 7. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy be made to Connecticut Oncology and Hematology or to HospiceCare in the Berkshires in care of the funeral home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230-1815. He also leaves three daughters-in-law, Susie, Claudia and Corrine; a son-in-law, Martin; seven grandchildren, Ruari Layton, and William, Christina, Raelynn, Daniel, Patrick and Steven Purcell; and his mother-in-law, Sally Killeen of Bronx. He also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins.

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