1
tree
planted in memory of John G. Purcell
Obituary for John G. Purcell
John G. Purcell, 1/30/44-4/20/2020
It is with great sadness and peace we announce the passing of John G. Purcell beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. John passed peacefully at the home of his daughter and son in-law surrounded by his family.
John was born in Greenport, Long Island to John J. and Dorothy (Grigonis) Purcell and moved to Canterbury, CT in elementary school and attended the Dr. Helen Baldwin School. It was there he met his lifelong friends that he treasured and were always a part of his life.
On October 7, 1967 he married Sandra (Brown) Purcell; they were married 52 years, renewing their vows in 2017. She survives him.
John is also survived by his daughter and son in-law, Christina (Purcell) and Timothy Milton Norwich where John resided at the time of his passing. John David and daughter in-law Linda Purcell Townsend, MA, Kevin R. Purcell Hampton, CT and Brian M. Purcell Plainfied, CT. Eleven grandchildren; Chantay Purcell, JJ, Stephen and Daniel Poirier, Erik and Adam Milton, Jaevyn & Kailese Balkun, Zackary, Tristan & Bryleigh Purcell. His dear sister Letitia Schultz and a niece Jill (Stephen) Bourbeau and three great nieces, Taylor, Alexia and Ryanne. John also leaves his family in Christ at Leffingwell Baptist Church. In addition to his parents he was also predeceased by his mother in law, Velma Brown.
John was a graduate of Griswold High School and loved to reminisce about his days as Class President and a member of the football team. He looked forward to class reunions and keeping in touch with his classmates right until his passing. He attended The University of CT majoring in Horticulture. There was not a leaf or bark that dad could not identify and loved the beauty of God’s creations especially in the fall.
He spent most of his working life at Pfizer as a Chemical Operator and later as a Realtor. It was his last years of working that he found his true gift of working with intellectually challenged adults. His work with DDS and The Arc of Eastern Connecticut brought so many great opportunities to individuals with disabilities. John also volunteered at many local charities, shopped for shut-ins and helped anyone he could.
John treasured the gift of family and valued honesty and hard work above all else. John had an amazing sense of humor that he carried right until the end with his family and nurses. He loved his children and grandchildren unconditionally. Vacations up North, especially Lake Winnipesaukee his favorite place, family board games, crossword puzzles, watching his grandchildren sporting events and making magic will always be remembered. He loved Boston Sports; Sox and Patriots and the UCONN Huskies were his teams.
The family extends our deepest gratitude to Hospice, visiting nurses, physicians and especially Darlene Saucier APRN, CWCN, Norwichtown Rehabilitation Center staff, friends at Leffingwell Church and the kindness of the greater community for all their support.
Due to the Corona Virus burial will be private for the family and a Celebration of John’s life will be announced when we can all be together again. In lieu of flowers please plant a flower of choice and think of dad and his love of gardens. If you would like to make a donation in his memory to Leffingwell Baptist Church, Deacons Fund/John Purcell, P.O. Box 250, Bozrah, CT 06334.
**Bill Carlson: The Lord introduced John to me years ago in another church. John was always a source of encouragement, as we spent time reflecting on our position as being children of God, & in His eternal Family. In the past couple of years, as John dealt daily, with some of the hardest questions people have to contend with, his trust in the Lord to, “do it right” didn’t falter, that I saw. He always met me with a smile, and was a blessing to be with. His faith seemed to grow stronger as the days to his leaving became shorter. Very recently, he rejoiced to leave the Nursing home, and move into a true family home with Chris and Tim. This is exactly where he wanted to leave from, to be with the Lord forever.**
Read More
It is with great sadness and peace we announce the passing of John G. Purcell beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. John passed peacefully at the home of his daughter and son in-law surrounded by his family.
John was born in Greenport, Long Island to John J. and Dorothy (Grigonis) Purcell and moved to Canterbury, CT in elementary school and attended the Dr. Helen Baldwin School. It was there he met his lifelong friends that he treasured and were always a part of his life.
On October 7, 1967 he married Sandra (Brown) Purcell; they were married 52 years, renewing their vows in 2017. She survives him.
John is also survived by his daughter and son in-law, Christina (Purcell) and Timothy Milton Norwich where John resided at the time of his passing. John David and daughter in-law Linda Purcell Townsend, MA, Kevin R. Purcell Hampton, CT and Brian M. Purcell Plainfied, CT. Eleven grandchildren; Chantay Purcell, JJ, Stephen and Daniel Poirier, Erik and Adam Milton, Jaevyn & Kailese Balkun, Zackary, Tristan & Bryleigh Purcell. His dear sister Letitia Schultz and a niece Jill (Stephen) Bourbeau and three great nieces, Taylor, Alexia and Ryanne. John also leaves his family in Christ at Leffingwell Baptist Church. In addition to his parents he was also predeceased by his mother in law, Velma Brown.
John was a graduate of Griswold High School and loved to reminisce about his days as Class President and a member of the football team. He looked forward to class reunions and keeping in touch with his classmates right until his passing. He attended The University of CT majoring in Horticulture. There was not a leaf or bark that dad could not identify and loved the beauty of God’s creations especially in the fall.
He spent most of his working life at Pfizer as a Chemical Operator and later as a Realtor. It was his last years of working that he found his true gift of working with intellectually challenged adults. His work with DDS and The Arc of Eastern Connecticut brought so many great opportunities to individuals with disabilities. John also volunteered at many local charities, shopped for shut-ins and helped anyone he could.
John treasured the gift of family and valued honesty and hard work above all else. John had an amazing sense of humor that he carried right until the end with his family and nurses. He loved his children and grandchildren unconditionally. Vacations up North, especially Lake Winnipesaukee his favorite place, family board games, crossword puzzles, watching his grandchildren sporting events and making magic will always be remembered. He loved Boston Sports; Sox and Patriots and the UCONN Huskies were his teams.
The family extends our deepest gratitude to Hospice, visiting nurses, physicians and especially Darlene Saucier APRN, CWCN, Norwichtown Rehabilitation Center staff, friends at Leffingwell Church and the kindness of the greater community for all their support.
Due to the Corona Virus burial will be private for the family and a Celebration of John’s life will be announced when we can all be together again. In lieu of flowers please plant a flower of choice and think of dad and his love of gardens. If you would like to make a donation in his memory to Leffingwell Baptist Church, Deacons Fund/John Purcell, P.O. Box 250, Bozrah, CT 06334.
**Bill Carlson: The Lord introduced John to me years ago in another church. John was always a source of encouragement, as we spent time reflecting on our position as being children of God, & in His eternal Family. In the past couple of years, as John dealt daily, with some of the hardest questions people have to contend with, his trust in the Lord to, “do it right” didn’t falter, that I saw. He always met me with a smile, and was a blessing to be with. His faith seemed to grow stronger as the days to his leaving became shorter. Very recently, he rejoiced to leave the Nursing home, and move into a true family home with Chris and Tim. This is exactly where he wanted to leave from, to be with the Lord forever.**
To plant a tree in memory of John G. Purcell, visit the Tribute Store.
Events
Event Information
Celebration of Life will happen when we all can be together again.
Memorial Contribution
Leffingwell Baptist Church
Deacons Fund: John Purcell P.O. Box 250 Bozrah, CT 05334
Loading...