Obituary for Richard A. "PJ" Purcell
Richard A. "PJ" Purcell, Sr., 88 , passed away on Saturday evening in Providence Place, Pottsville.
Born in Pottsville on December 30, 1932, he was the son of the late Paul and Mary (Hanley) Purcell.
He was a 1951 graduate of Pottsville Catholic High School and a member of St. Patrick R.C.C.
PJ worked in the family business, Purcell Moving and Storage from 1951-1966. He then went on to work at the Pottsville Republican doing photo engraving and then became assistant foreman of press operations, from 1966 until his retirement in 2002.
He was a loyal and dedicated life member of the Good Intent Fire Company, Pottsville, where he started out as a driver, foreman, past President, and then fire trustee. He was also a member of the Nativity High School Men's Club. In his retirement PJ was an active volunteer for the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.
PJ enjoyed traveling to Ireland, Maine, and Stone Harbor and was an avid Notre Dame Football fan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy (Bensinger), in 2008 and to whom he was married 57 years; sister, Marie; brothers: Paul and Jack.
PJ is survived by three daughters, Monica A. Bonitatibus, of Bluebell, PA; Terri A. Conville, wife of Jack, of Lititz; Patricia J. Tellup, wife of Joseph , of Cressona; three sons: Richard A. Purcell, husband of Joanne, of Auburn; Mark A. Purcell, husband of Nancy, of Auburn; and Stephen J. Purcell, of Portland, OR;14 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; sister, Elizabeth Morris, widow of Frank, of Oxford, PA; and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, May 28th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, with Msgr. Glosser officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service in the church.
Inurnment will follow in the Chapel Columbarium at Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
The family requests contributions in Richard's memory be sent to: Hillside SPCA, 51 SPCA Rd., Pottsville, PA 17901 or Good Intent Fire Co., 7 N. 2nd St., Pottsville, PA 17901.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at lordbixler.com.
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Born in Pottsville on December 30, 1932, he was the son of the late Paul and Mary (Hanley) Purcell.
He was a 1951 graduate of Pottsville Catholic High School and a member of St. Patrick R.C.C.
PJ worked in the family business, Purcell Moving and Storage from 1951-1966. He then went on to work at the Pottsville Republican doing photo engraving and then became assistant foreman of press operations, from 1966 until his retirement in 2002.
He was a loyal and dedicated life member of the Good Intent Fire Company, Pottsville, where he started out as a driver, foreman, past President, and then fire trustee. He was also a member of the Nativity High School Men's Club. In his retirement PJ was an active volunteer for the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.
PJ enjoyed traveling to Ireland, Maine, and Stone Harbor and was an avid Notre Dame Football fan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy (Bensinger), in 2008 and to whom he was married 57 years; sister, Marie; brothers: Paul and Jack.
PJ is survived by three daughters, Monica A. Bonitatibus, of Bluebell, PA; Terri A. Conville, wife of Jack, of Lititz; Patricia J. Tellup, wife of Joseph , of Cressona; three sons: Richard A. Purcell, husband of Joanne, of Auburn; Mark A. Purcell, husband of Nancy, of Auburn; and Stephen J. Purcell, of Portland, OR;14 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; sister, Elizabeth Morris, widow of Frank, of Oxford, PA; and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, May 28th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, with Msgr. Glosser officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service in the church.
Inurnment will follow in the Chapel Columbarium at Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
The family requests contributions in Richard's memory be sent to: Hillside SPCA, 51 SPCA Rd., Pottsville, PA 17901 or Good Intent Fire Co., 7 N. 2nd St., Pottsville, PA 17901.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at lordbixler.com.
To plant a tree in memory of Richard A. "PJ" Purcell, visit the Tribute Store.
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