James A. Purcell

PURCELL, James A. Died comfortably at his home on the morning of Thursday, February 7, 2002 from a year-long bout with lung cancer. For someone that loved being late, he died much too early at the age of 54. Long a familiar sight in his red ’70 Ford truck, with his postured stance and bushy mustache, Jim was everyone’s friend. He was always there, ready to share a drink and a joke. He was a perfectionist in work and play, an expert fly fisherman, beautiful water skier, 49’er faithful, and a darn good shot. Jim was born in Hanford, CA and lived in Seaside until he and his parents, Clinton and Helen, moved to Petaluma in his youth. He graduated from Petaluma High while his father taught and coached at Tomales High. He served in the National Guard building and blowing up bridges from 1966-1972. His career was dominated by working in the produce department at Safeway in Petaluma and other Sonoma towns for 35 years. He had just retired and wanted to pursue his love of outsmarting the salmon and steelhead in the west coast streams of California and Oregon. Jim is survived by his dear friend, Joan Kelly; his uncle, Charles Osborn; cousins Mike, Lori, Dale, and Leslie Osborn of Santa Clarita, Sheryl Hiett of Washington D.C., Elisa Diehl of El Solbrante, Dennis and Mark Heffernan of Bakersfield, his former wives Jan Roeser and Carol Purcell; and many dear friends in CA and OR. Here’s to Jim. We will miss his strong handshakes, warm hugs, smiles and laughs. We will miss him! Arrangements made by PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, MAGNOLIA AVE. & KEOKUK ST., PETALUMA, CA.