William Thomas Purchase

William Thomas "Tommy" Purchase
March 28, 1958 March 23, 2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of William Thomas Purchase, known to many as Tommy or Bill. He was born on March 28, 1958, in Springfield, MA, to Richard E. Purchase, Sr. and Rita M. (Powers) Barbieri, both of whom predeceased him.
Tommy leaves behind a family who adored him, including his wife and best friend, Diane (Muzzy) Purchase of Chicopee; two sons, William Thomas Purchase Jr., and his wife Jennifer (Mclsaac) along with their daughter, Mikaela Jayne of Springfield, and James Michael Purchase and his wife Amanda Spear-Purchase and their children, Thomas Joseph (TJ) and Lucille Ann (Lulu) of South Hadley; his beloved daughter, Amanda Purchase of Ludlow; his siblings, Nancy Desjarlais and her husband Jim of Liberty, SC, Sue Melao and her husband Joseph of Chicopee, Domenic Barbieri, Jr. and his wife Nancy of Springfield, and Donna Barbieri of Springfield; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was predeceased by his stepfather, Domenic Barbieri and his sister, Debra Fontaine.
From the moment he met the love of his life, Diane, in June of 1975, they were inseparable. Married on September 21, 1979, they built a life together filled with love, family, and laughter. Together, they raised their three children, and in recent years, nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with his three beloved grandchildren.
A skilled machinist, Tommy started his career at Van Norman Machine Shop in the 1980's where he became the youngest union president at the time, a reflection of his leadership, integrity, and dedication to his fellow workers. After the closing of Van Norman, Tommy continued his career at Johnson Foils (currently known as Andritz Paperchine), he rose to the role of shop foreman before his retirement. Outside of work, he was an active member of Boy Scout Troop 56 when his boys were young, always eager to share his love of the outdoors, fishing, camping, and building.
Tommy was the definition of hard work and sacrifice. He never stopped providing for his family, sometimes holding three jobs at once, doing whatever was necessary to give them everything they needed. Yet, no matter how many hours he worked, he always came home ready to play with his kids. He never let exhaustion stop him from being present, from tossing a ball in the yard, from making time to laugh and be with the people he loved most.
Sunday mornings were sacred in the Purchase house because Dad always made breakfast, filling the kitchen with the smells of pancakes, eggs, and laughter. He built a treehouse for his sons and a playhouse for his daughter, crafting childhood memories that will last forever. Their home was always a place of warmth and love, with a pool to splash in during the summer and a beautifully maintained yard that he took great pride in. He gave his family everything, and they have everything because of him.
Tommys family was his greatest pride, but his love extended to all creatures, great and small. Over the years, his home was filled with dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, and even a rabbit, a testament to his kind and nurturing heart.
A true jack-of-all-trades, Tommy could fix anything. He was a plumber, electrician, mechanic, carpenter, landscaperwhatever was needed, he could do it. His hands were always busy, whether providing for his family, whittling beautiful wooden creations in retirement, or making improvements to the familys beloved camp in Otis, where he became a part of the Klondike community.
Beyond his skills and hard work, it was his presence that made him unforgettable. He was strong, resilient, funny, and wise. He had a deep love for history, a knack for Dad jokes, and an ability to make any gathering more fun. His home was always the heart of celebrations, filled with the sounds of laughter, grilling, and games.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His love, wisdom, and humor will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. While our hearts are broken, we take comfort in the memories and the legacy he leaves behind. He will be missed beyond words.
We warmly invite you to join our family to celebrate his life. Calling hours will be held from 10am-12pm at Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street in Springfield. At 12p we will be remembering him with a Celebration of Life ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor his memory by sharing a Dad joke, fixing something that needs repair, or simply gathering with loved ones to enjoy a good meal and a game of cardsjust as he would have wanted.
Rest easy. We love you.
Services
Calling Hours
Saturday
April 5, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center
1858 Allen Street
Springfield, MA 01118
Celebration of Life
Saturday
April 5, 2025
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center
1858 Allen Street
Springfield, MA 01118