Joseph Edward Purcell

ALBANY — Joseph Edward Purcell of Albany, a long-time educational leader in the Guilderland schools, died peacefully on Monday, June 21, 2021, after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. He was 84.
“It took two of the world’s worst diseases to get the better of Joe,” his family wrote in a tribute.

He was born on Oct. 9, 1936 to Loretta and William Purcell in West Granville, New York. He spent his childhood in West Granville with his parents, older sister, Patricia, and younger brother, Robert.

“His work ethic was on display from a young age, asking his father if he could go to first grade at the age of 4,” his family wrote. “Suspecting the idea would last a day, his father said, ‘yes’ and 13 years later he graduated from Granville High School.

“He spent his summers helping his grandfather sell vegetables to local restaurants and taverns by hauling the produce, serving as the ‘Brakeman’ (literally pulling the emergency brake to stop the truck) and sipping a Coca-Cola at each stop while his grandfather enjoyed a pilsner. Later he would work at Wilson’s, the local clothing store, dressing the finest of Granville.”

Mr. Purcell attended the State University of New York at Albany, where he was a member of the Sigma Lambda Sigma fraternity. He graduated in 1957 with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics.

“More importantly, he met his future wife, Eileen Mary Lalley Purcell, and they married on Dec. 28, 1958 — with a moderate degree of concern from their parents given it was one semester into Joe’s first year as a math teacher at Guilderland Central High School and one semester before Eileen graduated from SUNY at Albany. However, Joe and Eileen didn’t want to waste any time in starting their lives together.”

Mr. Purcell went on to earn a master of science degree in education in 1960 and a Ph.D. in guidance and personnel services in 1972, both from SUNY at Albany. He served as a math teacher at Guilderland for three years before stepping into administrative roles as a guidance counselor, director of guidance, and vice principal from 1961 to 1984. In 1984, Mr. Purcell became the principal of the Farnsworth Middle School where he served until his retirement in 1991.

“His passion for education was evident from the hop in his step as he walked the halls with a smile on his face and an occasional whistle,” his family wrote. “Throughout Joe’s career as an educator, he was focused on the success of each student through an emphasis on instruction, staff development, and support for student learning.

“His work ethic remained consistent as he made himself available to students and staff at any time. He also contributed more broadly as a presenter and writer to many conferences and seminars throughout New York State and the Northeast. In 1991 he was awarded the Principal of the Year for the Greater Capital Region.”

After retiring from the Guilderland School District, Mr. Purcell worked for the School Administrators Association of New York State from 1991 to 1997 as the deputy executive director, serving as a consultant for school administrators across the state.

“About a year after his fifth son was a born in 1979 — a surprise of the highest degree — Joe made the wild decision to purchase a plot of land in the Adirondack Mountains along the Hudson River,” his family wrote. “He built a camp in North Creek that could serve as a jumping-off point for skiing at the nearby Gore Mountain and enjoying all that the other three seasons had to offer in the mountains.

“Joe was the ‘do it yourself’ kind of guy long before it was a slogan for big-box hardware stores so, with no prior construction experience, plans were drawn up for a simple two-bedroom home with one bunk room for the sons and one for Joe and Eileen. Joe elicited friends and family to help in the construction.

“Joe’s dad was an amateur electrician, so he wired the house; the more adventurous hammered the tin roof. And, with the exception of a visit from a bear that forced Joe and his son Mark out of their camper and up to the unfinished second-floor loft to sleep under the stars with the mosquitos, it was one of Joe’s greatest life experiences.

“Over the course of the last 40 years, several room additions have been made to grow with his family — first the daughters-in-law’s room and then for the grandchildren and finally the grand addition when Joe and Eileen moved there permanently in 2006, returning to Guilderland in 2014.

“The camp has played host to countless gatherings of family and friends and has been a special place for Joe’s family – even serving as the topic of one of his grandchildren’s college essays. It was Joe’s most favorite place.”

“Joe was an active member in his church, Christ the King, and community — both in Guilderland and North Creek,” his family wrote. “He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a longstanding volunteer of Community Caregivers and North Country Ministry, and he attended thousands of sporting events and activities participated in by his sons and grandchildren.

“He will be remembered for installing his own inground pool, baking an immeasurable number of chocolate cookies, for building everything from tree forts to chicken coops for his grandchildren, for the infinite love he had for his wife, the happiness he had around his children and grandchildren, and the countless lives he made better.”

****

Joseph Edward Purcell is survived by Eileen, his wife of 63 years; by his children, Michael Purcell and his wife, Pamela, of Falmouth, Massachusetts and Breckenridge, Colorado, Thomas Purcell and his wife, Karen, of Hebron, Connecticut, John Purcell and his wife, Catherine, of Atlanta, Georgia, Mark Purcell and his wife, Christine, of Bedford Hills, New York, and Kevin Purcell and his wife, Kelly, of New York, New York; by his grandchildren, Brian, Karen, Anne, Eric, Kyle, Will, Colin, Justin, Rachel, Joe, Kayla, Bailey, Harrison, and Jane; by his great-grandchildren, Jackson, Grace, Owen and Liam, siblings, Patricia and Robert (Afifa); and by many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, June 24, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont. Services will be held at Christ the King Church at 20 Sumter Ave. in Guilderland on Friday, June 25, at 11 a.m. with a celebration of life to follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Caregivers, 2021 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203.

More Obituaries

  • GUILDERLAND — Carole Richmond Hubbard, who was active in church ministries and devoted to her family, died peacefully on Saturday, March 23, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. She was 80.

    She was born in Albany on June 11, 1943 to the late William Sr. and Mary Parsons Richmond.

  • Barbara Hohenstein Taylor

    “Barbara Hohenstein Taylor was called home to be with the Lord on October 25, 2023,” her family wrote in a tribute. She was 81.

  • VOORHEESVILLE — Paul Richard Barrowman, a Vietnam veteran who worked as a carpenter and craftsman, was generous with his family and friends.

    He died on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at home after a short illness. He was 75.

The Altamont Enterprise is focused on hyper-local, high-quality journalism. We produce free election guides, curate readers' opinion pieces, and engage with important local issues. Subscriptions open full access to our work and make it possible.