Jeremiah Purtell Obituary

Jeremiah "Jeff" Purtell
December 22, 1929 - July 20, 2013
Pawleys Island
Jeremiah "Jeff" Purtell of Arlington, VA died on Saturday, July 20, 2013. He was 83 years old.
Jeff was born December 22, 1929 in the Bronx, NY, son of the late Mary & Patrick Purtell, natives of County Kerry, Ireland. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School and Manhattan College in the Bronx as well as served in the US Army & Army Reserves.
After marrying Brenda Coffey Purtell, also from the Bronx, they moved to Fairlawn, NJ briefly before residing in Allendale, NJ for 38 years where Jeff was active in community affairs as a Life Member and Treasurer of the Holiday Observers; Committee chairman of Troop 59 BSA; baseball and soccer coach for the Allendale Athletic Association; as well as a Lector at Guardian Angel RC church.
He retired from AT&T (formerly Western Electric) in 1995 after 38 years of service. During his career he served in New York City and Newark, NJ conducting wage & salary studies; as well as a consultant in Labor Relations for manufacturing locations nationwide.
As President of the New Jersey Self Insurers Association, he chaired a coalition that successfully achieved major reforms in NJ's workers' compensation law, receiving the NJ General Assembly's Highest commendation for the outstanding work he rendered to the workers and business community. Jeff also was appointed by Governor Tom Kean to a task force to review workers' compensation benefits.
Jeff and Brenda moved to Pawleys Island, SC and were active members of the Precious Blood RC Church from 1996 until moving to Virginia in 2012.
He is survived by wife Brenda; children Maureen Malloy of West Chester, PA, Patrick Purtell of Arlington, VA, Michael & Jennifer Purtell of Glenside, PA, Jeremy & Jessica Purtell of Alexandria, VA, Meghan & Stu Ballatt of Mountainside, NJ and Dan & Jill Purtell of Arlington, VA; grandchildren Timothy, Christopher & Daniel Jeremiah Malloy, Margaret, Jeremiah "Jake" & Matthew Purtell, Genevieve & Jeremiah "Jack" Ballatt, Michael & Melissa Purtell and Josephine & Henry Purtell.
He was pre-deceased by his brother Thomas Purtell of Johnstown, PA and his sister Margaret Purtell of Gainesville, FL.
A memorial mass will be announced in the near future to allow family & friends to celebrate his life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude's Childrens Hospital.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Sun News on Jul. 28, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Jeremiah Purtell

9 Entries

Mike Bifalco and Family

September 29, 2013

Aunt Brenda, Meg, Maureen, Patrick, Michael, Jeremy and Danny and families... We just heard of Jeff's passing. Our thoughts and love go out to you all. My parents (Bernie and Mike) were very saddened too and will be keeping you all in their prayers.

Margaret & Joe Gerrity

July 28, 2013

Brenda & Family, we are sadden to read of Jeff's death. As a neighbor and friend in Pawleys Island, we were enriched in knowing you and you and your family will be remembered in our prayers. Margaret & Joe Gerrity

July 27, 2013

Meg and Family - So sorry for your loss. I hold you in my heart and am praying for your strength and faith during this terrible time of loss. Love you Meg - Sarah P.

Matt, Sarah, Audrey & Charlotte Stein

July 25, 2013

Mrs. Purtell and the Entire Purtell Family-

We are so very sorry for your loss. Mr. Purtell was a wonderful man and we both feel blessed to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.

Skip DeStefano

July 24, 2013

Pat and Family, I am very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Michael Woelfel

July 24, 2013

My condolences to the Purtell Family. Rest in Peace, Mr. Purtell

fjohn reinke (mc1968)

July 24, 2013

The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any man's death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.

Seamus Gibbons

July 24, 2013

Brenda, Patrick, Michael, Jeremie, Danny, Maureen and Meg, all the rest of the family, its with heavy hearth I write to ye. I wish on behalf of all the family here in Ireland to extend our deepest Sympathy on the Death of Jeff.
He was a True Gentleman and I am glad I had the privilege of know en him. To talk to him on the phone, to meet him at home here on holidays or to meet him when we went to the States he was always so Great.
Remember to talk to him now as he is still near you and he will help you all over this hard time.
He will be in our prayers as you all will be now.
I will phone in a few days , look after Brenda, Love and our prayers are with you all,
Seamus.