Patrick E. Purcell

1933 - 2026

Patrick E. Purcell, 92, died peacefully on Monday, March 16, 2026, at The Center for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington, VT. He was born in New York City on May 4, 1933, the son of Daniel J. and Jennie (McDonnell) Purcell.

He was a graduate of St. Francis de Sales Academy in Queens, NY, Bennington High School, and Northeastern University.

Patrick served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps, and was awarded the National

Defense, United Nations, Korean, and Good Conduct medals.

He was employed in the Traffic Department of the Boston and Maine Railroad, later working in the Sales Department of the Pennsylvania Railroad in various management positions and in 1976 was selected to serve in its Washington D.C. unit (USRA) which would drastically reorganize Eastern Railroads. That same year he would be commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by the governor for his efforts to help commerce in that state.

Patrick was a certified member of the American Society of Transportation and Logistics, a licensed practitioner before the Interstate Commerce Commission, and a member of the Delta Nu Alpha Transportation Fraternity. He was also an associate member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

Patrick retired in 1994 as Senior Consultant in the Marketing & Sales department where he was affectionately known as "The Great Guru" to the young college graduates who had come to the railroad after the reorganization.

His employment would spark an interest in railway history resulting in membership with the Railway and Locomotive and National Railway Historical Societies for more than 60 years.

A lifelong student of history, Patrick participated in countless tours, attended conferences, and visited many historical sites in the U.S. and Mexico. He attended 20 consecutive annual Civil War Round Table Congresses and served as president of the Philadelphia Civil War Round Table. He was also a member of the Board of Governors of the former Civil War Library and Museum in Philadelphia.

An additional passion throughout much of Patrick's life was opera, and for many years he held a regular seat for Saturday afternoon performances at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He also attended performances by other first-rate opera companies from Tokyo and Budapest to London and San Francisco.

In Vermont, Patrick was a member of the VFW, American Legion, and the Bennington, Pownal, Rutland Railroad and Vermont Historical Societies.

He is survived by a number of cousins including John Tremblay (Eileen) of Cheshire, MA, and Kathryn Callaert of North Bennington.

There will be a private Catholic Committal Service at the Purcell family lot in the Park Lawn Cemetery in Bennington.

Online condolences may be made at www.devlinfuneralhomevt.com