John A. Purcell

JOHN ANTHONY PURCELL

John was born in Melbourne, Australia February 24, 1940 and lived in the town of Preston. His parents were John (Jack) Michael Purcell and May Dorothy Purcell. His sisters are Margaret, currently living in Australia, and Kathleen who predeceased him.

He attended St. Patrick College which actually was a grade and high school. While attending there he was Captain of First Eleven which was a cricket team, captain of the football team, a track star, avid tennis player and the school’s athletic champion. He remained passionate about sports throughout his entire life. If there was a ball, he would follow it no matter what sport it was.

He entered seminary from high school and as an ordained priest was very active in social work helping those devasted by the fires which took the lives and homes of many in Tasmania where he was assigned. He helped couples through the adoption process, making sure that creating the family was right for the couple and child. While in Tasmania, he graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received the history award. His love of history followed him throughout his life and was evidenced by what he read and followed.

He came to America to obtain his Master’s degree in Social Work and never went back to live in Australia. After obtaining his degree, he assisted those in the Bronx when the Bronx was burning in the 70’s. He helped those who were incarcerated by working with craftsmen to rebuild a brownstone which was an extremely successful program in terms of people not returning to lives of crime. He helped to improve the living conditions of migrant workers through a program called Reaping the Harvest. Later in his career he moved into administration remaining in social service and became Director of Human Resources.

After his divorce he stayed in America rather than returning to Australia to be an integral part of his son Carl’s life. Carl is now married to Jes and living in New York with their two sons, Logan and Connor. John also had a daughter, Ann, who passed away at birth.

He was a special person, a gentleman at all times with a caring and generous heart. He didn’t know a stranger and loved everyone, no matter their race, creed or color. John’s smile would light up a room and the hearts of the people in it.

John was a man of integrity and strong religious faith which was evident by the way he lived. He always found the best in people and could easily overlook someone’s faults.

Although he lost his hearing at 19 and went through several challenging health problems he never complained, always saying “it will be right mate”.

After he retired, he became quite a chef and really enjoyed entertaining at home with his wife, Judi. He was a devoted husband and Judi’s soulmate for 36 years.

John was very proud the day he became a dual American/Australian citizen.

He loved being involved in his volunteer work both at Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care and St. Joseph Medical Center.

He had a special relationship with two children, Max and Gracie, who called him Grandpa John and who will miss his presence in their lives.

John will always be loved and missed by his wife Judi, his sister Margaret and beaucoup nieces and nephews in Australia and many family members and friends in Kansas City, Harry and Cathy his brother and sister in laws living in Hawaii, and his son and family in New York.

The family of John A. Purcell will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 23, 2023 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 1001 E. 52^nd Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64110. Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to either St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church food pantry or Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care.

John’s Mass of Christian Burial will be live streamed by St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. This is the link to SFX-KC YouTube channel. When it goes “live” click on the appropriate icon.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc6OcQ7-hKfXUMFbsObdlQ