Thomas Joseph Purcell

Thomas Joseph Purcell
Thomas Joseph Purcell ("Tom") passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025. He was a resident of Hamden for over 60 years at Dante Place then Benchmark Senior Living. Born on the emerald isle of Ireland, Piltown, County Kilkenny on December 15, 1936. He was the 6th of 17 children. His parents and siblings lovingly referred to him as Joey, and he became known to many as Pops and Poppa Tom. As a young lad, he dabbled in Irish hurling, and remained passionate about his favorite team, the Kilkenny Cats, over the years. Tom immigrated to Canada and then the United States. He met Bridie Mulvey, married, and had six wonderful children in the span of 10 years. Bridie passed at an early age and his two sisters-in-law, Eileen and Lil Mulvey, were there to lend a helping hand. He then married Ann O'Neill, who was his loving partner for over 40 years and essential to the Purcell family. Tom worked as an offset printer. He later started his own business, Purcell's Construction and Remodeling. No job too small was his company motto. He was a member of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament of Hamden for many years. Tom volunteered delivering bread to the soup kitchen at St. Ann's Church in New Haven. He was also a member of the New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club. Tom was famous for his Irish brown bread and Sunday morning fry ups. He also liked to tend his large vegetable garden and keep abreast of current events. Always a competitor, he became an avid balloon volleyball player at Benchmark. Tom was a great listener to all his family and known for his story telling. He always kept an open door to anyone in need of a hammer, a place to stay or a listening ear. Tom is survived by his six children, Noreen Purcell Dillman, Susan, Thomas, Bridget, Eileen, and Brian and their spouses; 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; six siblings, Sr. Philomena, Geraldine, Peter, Bridget, Patsy, and Dick; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Thomas and Josephine, 10 siblings, and his beloved wives, Bridie and Ann. Family and friends are invited to gather on Monday, March 31, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home 3105 Whitney Ave. Hamden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Hamden. Burial will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.siskbrothers.com