Michael Joseph Purnhagen

Michael Joseph Purnhagen
April 3. 1940 – July 9, 2024
Michael Joseph Purnhagen passed away peacefully at his home in Manhattan, NY, on July 9, 2024. Michael is survived by his nieces and nephews, Lisa (Paul Goring), Joan, Kim, Philip (Debbie Gerbasi), and David. Born in Queens, NY, he was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Gerbasi, and his parents, Evelyn Hussey Purnhagen and Joseph Matthias Purnhagen (killed in WW II). Dearest friend of Diane J. Mancino of Astoria, NY.
Michael was a graduate of Pace University (BBA Accounting 1969) and had a successful career as a Certified Public Accountant. Michael had many interests throughout his life. He was an avid surfer, accomplished musician (guitar), magician, opera lover, Argentine Tango aficionado, and fiction writer. He visited Buenos Aires, Argentina many times to study and dance traditional tango. Many of his short stories were published in Argentine Tango magazines. The sport he enjoyed playing the most was handball, and for many years he was a member of the Queensborough Elks Lodge BPOE 878 Handball League in Queens, NY. Michael often recalled the exhilaration of completing the NYC marathon, alongside his sister Barbara, as one of the highlights of his life.
A Wake will be held at Farenga Funeral Home, 38-08 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105 on Monday, July 15, 2024 from 6pm – 9pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 10:00am, at St. John Nepomucene Roman Catholic Church, First Avenue at E. 66th Street, Manhattan, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to VNS Health Hospice and Palliative Care, PO Box 6445, New York, NY 10249-6445 or online at: https://www.vnshealth.org/in-the-community/giving/