Donald F. Purtell
...active at St. William’s, P.G.K. K of C in Dracut; 74
TEWKSBURY - Donald F. Purtell, age 74, a well known member of the Tewksbury community
and a Korean War era veteran, died Thursday, October 26, at the Lowell General Hospital, after a
four month battle with cancer. He was the husband of Catherine T. “Kay” (Sheehan) Purtell,
with whom he had celebrated a 54th wedding anniversary this past March 29th.
He was born in Lowell, on April 12, 1932, a son of the late Thomas and Helen (Normandy)
Purtell. He graduated from Lowell High School with the Class of 1949, where he was a National
Honor Society member and Boy Officer. He later attended the Bentley School of Accounting in Waltham.
He entered into the Air Force during the Korean War, and served in Germany with the European
Occupation Forces. He remained active in veteran’s service as a volunteer at the Rogers V.A.
Hospital in Bedford.
He worked as a manager for the New England Hardware Dealers, formerly in Wakefield, and later
worked as the steward/manager of the Fr. Coppen’s Council, Knights of Columbus Hall in
Tewksbury.
He was an active member of St. William’s Parish in Tewksbury, where he was a member of the
Men’s Club for over 25 years, and usher at the Sunday Family Mass.
He was a Past Grand Knight of the Dracut K of C and a member of the Tewksbury K of C.
In his earlier years, Mr. Purtell was active in sports, and in his later years, enjoyed watching
professional sports. He was an avid golfer as a member of the Tuesday league at Billerica
Country Club, and a frequent participant of various Tewksbury golf group weekend, in state and
out of state golf trips.
Besides his wife, he is survived by five children, Karen Kennett and her husband Gary of Pelham,
NH, David Purtell and his wife Leeann (Arnold) of San Diego, CA, Jean Hayden and her husband
James O. Hayden of Tewksbury, Nancy Bufe and her husband Harry of Dracut, James Purtell and
his wife Stephanie (Poires) of Andover; his extended family, Cynthia Smith of Groton, Paul
Ignatowicz of Pelham, Diane Gilmore of Westford, Mary Belodeau of Pelham; eleven
grandchildren, Jason Robertson of CA, Michael, Robert, and Lindsay Ogden all of Dracut, Jeffrey
Ogden of Tyngsboro, Katelyn, Erin, and Lauren Bufe all of Dracut, Benjamin, Jacob, and Jenna
Purtell all of Andover; two great grandchildren, Aliveah and Moorea; his sisters and brothers,
Eleanor Blazon, and Phyllis Johnson and her husband Warren Johnson, M.D. all of Dallas TX,
Barbara Herrold of Highpoint, NC, Thomas Purtell and his wife Sara of Goodyear, AZ, Richard
Purtell and his wife Maureen of Chelmsford; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Philip Belanger of
FL, Mary LaFountain and her husband Sid of Sanford, ME, Thomas Sheehan and his wife Kay of
Chatham, Jackie Blake of Alexandria, NH; dear friends, Joe and Rita Collins of Dracut; and
numerous nieces and nephews.
He was also brother of the late Elizabeth Belanger.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, Oct. 30, at 10:00 a.m. in St. William’s Church, 1351
Main St. (Rte 38) Tewksbury. Burial with Air Force Honors will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery.
Visiting hours are Sunday 4 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the
Lowell General Hospital, Cancer Center/Patient Services Fund c/o/ Development Office, 295
Varnum Ave., Lowell, MA 01854, will be appreciated.