Richard "Dick" A. Purcell

Richard Dick A. Purcell, 75, of Camillus, died Saturday, August 25, 2007 at the Francis House. Born on Monday, May 23, 1932, he was raised in Syracuse and lived in Camillus since 1972. Dick graduated from Onondaga Valley Academy in 1951 and was a Korean War veteran. Employed by Niagara Mohawk Power Corp for 38 years, he retired in 1991. Dick was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church and member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Camillus Elks, Valley American Legion and the Niagara Mohawk Retirees. He was active in community youth sports and was co-founder of the Apple Valley League as well as a former coach and director of the Camillus Youth Hockey. He was a member of the Town of Onondaga, Hinsdale and Orchard Vali golf leagues. Dick also volunteered with Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed winters in Bradenton, Florida and summers on Skaneateles Lake. He was a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his dogs. Dick was predeceased by his parents, John and Norma, and daughter, Kathleen Purcell Merluzzi. Surviving are his wife, the former Barbara Devin Lydon; sons, Richard (Mary) of LaFayette, Steven (Maggie) of Skaneateles, Thomas (Jo Ann) of Manlius and John (Helen) of Onondaga Hill; daughters, Lynn (Tony) Marinelli of Syracuse and Susan (Ziva) Popov of Marcellus; step-sons, Dan (Marcia) Lydon of Camillus and Mike (Jo Ann) Lydon of Liverpool; step-daughters, Mary (Barry) Delello of Florida and Christine (Jim) Raite of Syracuse; brother, John (Sondra) Purcell of Camillus; son-in-law, Miles Merluzzi of Syracuse; 25 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus and at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church where a funeral Mass will be celebrated. Friends may call Monday, August 27, 2007 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Private burial will be in the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208 or to Hospice of Central New York, 990 Seventh North St., Liverpool, NY 13088.