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BORN
1953
DIED
2023
Robert Purcell Obituary
Bow, NH - Bob (Robert) Purcell, 70, of Bow, NH passed away on May 8, 2023, after a long battle with Cancer.
Born in 1953, Bob grew up in Scarsdale, NY the middle child of eleven children. Bob loved playing lacrosse and football in High school and fondly shared stories of his Scarsdale Football days. Bob married the love of his life, Sue, in 1974 they built an amazing life together moving to Bow, NH in 1985. You could find them riding their bikes for ice cream or snowboarding at Sunapee on Fridays. The ultimate sports Dad, Bob loved to watch his children (Micaela and Kyle) play. He would often drive 6 hours one way to catch his son's lacrosse game and return the same day or more recently driving out to the seacoast to watch his kids play in adult rec leagues. Bob was a Master Plumber owning his own company, Bob Purcell Plumbing and Heating, for 30 years. He enjoyed working for his long-time customers and his contractor and electrician friends, even working while undergoing his cancer treatments. Bob also volunteered as a firefighter for the towns of Bow and recently Dunbarton. He loved his dog Ziva, camping in the Cape, swimming in the ocean, playing the lottery, golfing, chocolate, and Portsmouth Harbor Cruises.
Bob was one of a kind and had the biggest and kindest heart. He had a smile and laugh that could light up the room and he could and would start a conversation with anyone, anywhere. He will be greatly missed.
Bob is survived by his loving wife Susan Purcell of Bow, NH, daughter Micaela Purcell of Portsmouth, NH, son Kyle Purcell, his wife Meg and granddaughter Nora of Newmarket, NH, his siblings and spouses, and many nieces and nephews.
Bob is predeceased by his parents, James and Geraldine (Ryan) Purcell and his brother John Purcell.
The family is hosting a celebration of life on Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 1-4 pm at Pats Peak Ski Area in Henniker, NH. We invite his customers, neighbors, friends, and family to join us for an open and casual reception to celebrate Bob.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Bob's honor to Dana Farber.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Purcell
Barbara Pascoe
August 16, 2023
Dearest Sue
We just learned of Bob's passing. How very very sad. I thought I would send a photo of Bob doing what he loved best. Unclogging one of our drains with Orson his supervisor by his side. Every time Bob came the cats had to come and visit. He remembered all of their names and there were a lot over the years. Orson was his favorite and Bob could never complete a job without that cat trying to help him! What a huge loss. Thinking of you. Barbara and Robert Pascoe
Bill Purcell
June 22, 2023
Right away, my daughter, Maureen's text: file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/ba/10/ABDA9A33-136B-411C-B87A-F205316AA3FA/IMG_2779.png
Jim and Deb
May 21, 2023
I am not sure how many years our family went to Winslow Park camping area with Bob and Sue but looking back, sure makes me smile. We would all go the weekend of the Yarmouth clam festival. One year Jim and Bob spontaneously assisted a little coastal town that was shy team members for their Fireman's muster. They had so much fun that the next year they brought their own gear and entered again. We all enjoyed watching them compete.
Years later, Jim and I went to Winslow park and were surprised to be across the road from Bob and Sue. Bob was excited about his ice maker. He was going to put freshly made ice into Jim´s drink. This place didn´t have electricity at the sites but that didn´t stop Bob. Jim waited in anticipation for this ice and Bob smiled that awesome smile as he brought Jim one ice cube for his drink.
We had so many laughs with Bob and Sue. Bob will always be camping with us at Winslow park smiling and laughing.
We love you Sue
Jim and Deb
Charlie Schelz
May 13, 2023
Will miss you brother, cousin!
As kids, you meant so much to me
Your laugh, your spirit, your
pure energy.
Crashing through, head down,
Laughing all the way!
Sledding, running, biking, skating,
over cliffs
Through the woods
Under fences
Over walls, Always
on thin ice
Always just escaping
Catastrophe
I always thought you would beat me
To the other side.
And there you are.
Making it a lot further than I ever imagined.
I know you'll run, head down, laughing,
right through to the great unknown.
I'll see you up there and run again, smiling
Just like we always did.
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Bill Purcell
May 12, 2023
Bill Purcell
May 12, 2023
Bill Purcell
May 12, 2023
Bill Purcell
May 12, 2023
Bill Purcell
May 12, 2023
Bill Purcell
May 12, 2023
Bill Purcell
May 12, 2023
Gerry and John McGuirk
May 12, 2023
Gerry and John McGuirk
May 12, 2023
Gerry and John McGuirk
May 12, 2023
Oh Bob!
How we love you
Your wonderful spirit filled our hearts with such joy!
We especially loved our get togethers with you and Sue in Worcester for lunch! We had so many great laughs!
We are missing you so much already!
But our dear brother we will be together again! Rest In Peace for now! We will celebrate later!
We love you!
THANK YOU SUE
We love you Sue and we are so thankful you gave Bob such happiness!
You, Micaela, Kyle, Meg and precious Nora have given Bob a wonderful life!
We keep you all in our prayers!
We love you!
Gerry and John
Bill Purcell
May 11, 2023
Bobby was the greatest brother and most encouraging wing man growing up in Westchester County, NY. My roommate for over 15 years, and what a 15 years that was! Our greatest dispute was who was the "oldest of the second half," Bob being #6 of the eleven siblings, me Lucky #7, clearly it was Bob! I think the song Don't Mess with Bill was by someone who knew I had a big brother Bob! We played so many sports together, all kinds, and we pushed each other hard , bringing out our best - I kept hustling and he could never let his little brother beat him! We swam on the Westchester Country Club team and I finally beat his best time, but Bobby too was in the race and broke his own record to win the multi-club contest, a fun story Bobby loved to tell! I still have my WCC Championship "Billy Purcell - Crew" trophies where Skipper Bob thankfully called the shots - I remember slicing through the Long Island Sound waters fast approaching the race's starting-line group of sailboats when Bobby would yell Up Centerboard! in case we slipped over the bow of another's craft as we stormed past, barely in the leeward right-of-way, just as the air-horn blasted Go! We rarely looked back! Playing basketball on Scarsdale High School's team together was a powerblast of adrenalin-fueled fun, knowing and counting on each other's moves and having our backs! I'm lucky that Bob was the 1969 Swimming Champion at WCC and they put up B Purcell on the Championship Board, the B sometimes confused for Bill, no it was Bob - So much fun, we'll miss Bobby! As Bob would say, Luvya
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