Robert E. Purcell

Robert E Purcell

Robert E Purcell, age 96, of Meadow Ridge in Redding, Conn, formerly a 46-year resident of New Canaan, died peacefully Wednesday, Jan 6, 2016

Born in Arlington, Mass, on Jan 25, 1919, Bob was the son of the late Daniel and Mary Doyle Purcell He was predeceased by his wife Eleanor Casserly Purcell, who died in 1996

Raised in Arlington, Bob was the youngest of five children He attended Arlington High School while working on the family farm Upon graduation from Boston University, where he majored in Education, he joined the US Navy, receiving his commission as an officer He was then sent to Cornell University to study Celestial Navigation, followed by Miami, Fla, for Submarine Chase training Then Anti-Submarine Warfare, Gunnery School and Destroyer School, from there on to Pearl Harbor

Lt Purcell became Captain of a Sub Chaser in the Aleutian Islands, the Bering Strait and Japan During the war, he spent many months in Hawaii recovering from back surgery due to injuries sustained while fighting the Japanese on the island of Attu For his Naval service Lt Purcell received the following medals: American Area Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Medal (1st Star) and the World War II Victory Medal  He served his country from 1942-1947

After the War, Bob began a career in textiles While working for Manchester Hosiery Mills in New Hampshire, he met his future wife Eleanor, and they soon settled in Belmont, Mass In the early 1960s, he and his family of four young children traded their Belmont home for a Mexican Diplomat's home in Mexico City for three months Thus planting the seed of international adventure in his children In 1963 Bob moved his family to New Canaan, facilitating a continued career in New York City

For the majority of his career he commuted into New York City, where he represented a variety of textile firms His creativity and ingenuity led him to be the first to import Wolford Pantyhose to the United States Private label work became a successful challenge, and custom brands included Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan, among others Bob represented knitting mills throughout Germany, which fostered his love of German language, food and personal friendships Bob remained young by way of his strong work ethic - he received his last order from The Vermont Country Store at the age of 92

Bicycling from his home on South Avenue in New Canaan to meet "the boys" for breakfast at Lou's Kitchen downtown kept Bob in shape for his passion - tennis He played well into his 80s He volunteered an immense amount of time to the development of tennis, especially for children He helped establish the Southern New England Jr Tennis Championships, co-founded the Parent-Child tournament at Mead Park, and served as treasurer of the National Indoor Platform Tennis Championships hosted by New Canaan High School Most of his free time was spent on the tennis courts at The Lake Club or Mead Park, hitting tennis balls with his children and passing on his love of the game

Throughout his life, Bob spent his summers on Cape Cod As a youngster he was a bat boy for the Orleans Firebirds of the summer baseball league As years passed, Bob spent hours playing in the waves with his grandchildren He so loved the ocean that he earned his endearment "The Big Fish" for nipping at his grandchildren's toes while swimming

Bob is survived by one son, Robert B Purcell and his wife Robin of Danville, Calif, three daughters, Louise P Hemmerle and her husband Glenn of Wilton, Conn, Kate Purcell and her husband Kevin Plette of Burlington, Vt and Eleanor Adams and her husband Brad of Sullivan's Island, SC Also surviving Bob are six greatly loved grandchildren with whom he had much fun: Ford (wife Kady) and Sarah Adams, Heather and Ginny Purcell, and Ned and Meg Hemmerle, and two great-grandchildren, Wells and Hattie Adams

In addition to his wife, Bob was predeceased by his granddaughter Eliza Adams Metz

A Memorial Mass will be held on Jan 30 at 11 am at St Aloysius Roman Catholic Church in New Canaan

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to: The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, attn Fr Peter Le Jacq, MM, PO Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545 with IMO Bob Purcell written in the memo section

The NCHS Scholarship Foundation, Attn: Treasurer, New Canaan High School, 11 Farm Rd, New Canaan, CT 06840

For online condolences and directions visit wwwhoytfuneralhomecom

- The Family