James J. “Jimmy” Purtell age 70 of Brockton died peacefully December 24, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a brave battle with cancer. He was the husband for 48 years of Diane M. (Bruno) Purtell of Bridgewater. Jim was born and raised in Boston a son of the late James J. and Barbara (McDonough) Purtell.
Jim received a basketball scholarship to Newman Prep School in Boston and at the age of 19 was drafted into the US Army. He served two years during the Vietnam War. After returning home, he attended schools in the new field of I.T. Jim worked for 20 years at Sears Roebuck in Brookline as an I.T. manager. When Sears moved to Chicago, Jim worked the next 15 years for Boston Mutual in Canton until his retirement. During his retirement, he worked part-time for the West Bridgewater School Department.
Jim was an avid reader and would read 2-3 books a week. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, his contagious laugh and his ability to listen to others. He was a soft spoken and humble man and will be missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his wife Diane, Jim leaves his two daughters Dyan Reagan and her husband Richard and Suzanne Pagan and her husband Adam all of Bridgewater and was grandfather of Connor, Matthew and Brooke Reagan and Leah and Nicholas Pagan. He was the brother of Janet Murphy of Bridgewater, Barbara Frawley and her husband Thomas of Dorchester and Joseph Purtell of Dorchester. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held in the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont St. (rte. 123) Brockton on Thursday 9-11am immediately followed by a service in the funeral home. Burial in the Mass National Cemetery, Bourne at 1:15pm.