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2011 SESSION

11104316D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 786
Offered February 2, 2011
Celebrating the life of Edward E. Purcell, Jr.
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Patrons-- Keam; Senator: Petersen
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WHEREAS, Edward E. Purcell, Jr., a devoted American patriot and life member of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, died on January 4, 2011; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from St. Anthony’s Catholic High School in 1942, Edward Purcell attended Northern Virginia Community College and received his bachelor’s degree from George Washington University; and

WHEREAS, Edward Purcell proudly served as a member of the United States Marine Corps from 1946 to 1947 and then worked as a cartographer for the federal Defense Mapping Agency Hydrographic/Topographic Center for 47 years until his retirement in 1989; and

WHEREAS, following his retirement, Edward Purcell served on the board of directors and as office manager for PTI Communications in Sterling; and

WHEREAS, devoted to his country and committed to his fellow veterans and service members, Edward Purcell remained an active and patriotic member of the American Legion; and

WHEREAS, Edward Purcell was a respected life member of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department for more than 50 years and committed countless hours to protecting his community; and

WHEREAS, regarded as a mentor by generations of volunteer and professional firefighters, Edward Purcell is remembered for embodying the responsibility, courage, and discipline needed to face an emergency as well as for building camaraderie; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated family man, Edward Purcell was the proud patriarch of his large family and enjoyed spending time with Anne, his wife of 60 years; his six children, Edward, Rita, Anne, Patrick, Daniel, and Michael; and his 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Louis; and

WHEREAS, Edward Purcell will be fondly remembered by his many family members, friends, and neighbors and by the brave firefighters whose lives he influenced; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Edward E. Purcell, Jr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Edward E. Purcell, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.