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Jim Purcell

1934 - 2024

Jim Purcell obituary, 1934-2024, Mill Valley, CA

BORN

1934

DIED

2024

Jim Purcell Obituary

Jim Purcell
09/23/1934 - 06/11/2024
Jim Peter Purcell
Jim Purcell was among the most remarkable people one could meet. A longtime resident of Muir Beach, he was a true renaissance man, at various times in his life a GI, a filmmaker, a jazz pianist, an Evelyn Wood speedreading teacher, a stock broker, a grad student at Berkeley's Wright Institute, and finally a psychotherapist at the SF Family Therapy Center. And he did each thing well. Very well. Especially the jazz.
JP began playing piano as a young boy in Spokane, Washington where he was raised. And, while he could never read or nor write music, he could play anything by ear and could emulate any style, and almost any performer. Playing jazz piano complimented all the other professions in which he excelled. He'd finish a day of filming or therapy, and then start a second at the keyboard at whatever venue was lucky to have him play. A regular at Zack's in the 50s and then at the Ricksha in Chinatown, he later played at the Trident in Sausalito for years. Probably his best musician friend was Denny Zeitlin. And he venerated Oscar Peterson and Dizzy Gillespie along with his great friends cat cartoon maven Hap Kliban and raconteur, actor, and musician, Scott Beach.
For those blessed by his friendship, there were many foggy evenings of music shared at his home in Muir Beach on a hill above the breakers looking south toward the City. Muir Beach was the place he loved most and was where he spent most of his life after settling into psychotherapy as his life's work, even while regularly playing around the Bay Area. His self-produced albums are treasured by many who have them, most of whom are perplexed as to why he never was commercially pursued.
Following a profound stroke 15 years ago, Jim's life changed as one might expect. In the end, he passed away of natural causes peacefully at Marin Terrace in Mill Valley. His sister, the artist M.J. Purcell, predeceased him some years ago. A small gathering of his friends is planned for Saturday, June 29th, and another later on at Muir Beach. Contact Drummond Pike by text at 415-987-0022 for information.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jun. 25, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
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3 Entries

David Riordan

February 11, 2025

I just got this news. My old friend has gone on ahead. Jim was a true treasure in my life when I lived in the Bay Area. Even though it has been many years since I last saw him after I moved away, the memories of sitting in the seating pit in front of the plate glass windows at his home in Muir Beach are always win me. The Christmas collection he did of jazzed chords is still one of my favorites. Bless you Jim. You definitely left this world a better place than you found it. All the Kosmos can ask I suspect. Much love my friend, David Riordan

Kerrigan McCarthy

July 3, 2024

He was a sweet ol´ thing.

Dee Bell

June 26, 2024

Jim was a truly wonderful man who was fully engaged with life. The obituary was a terrific description of his incredible being.

I was lucky to know him as a dear friend. I am certain the stroke was difficult for him. We had moved to a rural coastal area and sadly i lost touch, but had met with him once after his stroke before we moved.

May he rest in deep peace and play on with all the great musicians who preceded him in death.

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