SHERBURNE – Richard Harry Purdy, 85, of Sherburne, passed away the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 at the Veterans’ Home in Oxford, where he had stayed quite happily for several weeks. 
He was born Oct. 25, 1927 to Harry Purdy and Margeret Mollenkopf. He was raised in Hempstead, Long Island and graduated from Baldwin High School. Richard was a loving, lifelong husband to his wife of 60 years, Celeste Morgan. His life with her was one of much laughter, great loyalty, a lot of hard work and endurance, and blessing. Married in Valley Stream on Sept. 25, 1949, they shared the joys and challenges of raising nine children - Richard (predeceased 2010), Deborah, Robert, James, William, Denise, Michael, Daniel and Catherine. In later years, he enjoyed his 21 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Richard had a tender heart and helped several children by inviting them into the household at their time of need including Peter Madjar, Jeffrey Hale, Lawrence Morgan and several others. They were regarded as his own by Richard.  After the passing of his wife in 2010, Richard adapted to living independently, but thought of his wife daily. Besides his surviving children, he leaves behind a sister, Doris Biviano and a brother Harry Purdy, Jr. Richard was an intelligent, ambitious man which was evident in his authority as Technician Fifth Grade in the Army during WWII, building his own house from it’s foundation on Long Island, as meat manager of the largest A&P Food Market in the nation, as well as the Sherburne IGA, and as founder of Purdy & Sons Foods in Sherburne in 1963.  Richard was recognized as an expert meat-cutter, and was friendly and responsive to his customers over the years.  When the financial necessities of raising his many children called for it, he worked three jobs simultaneously. In reflection on his life in his later years, Richard would often state “we had a good life, a really good life – we were very fortunate.”  In his later days, he also looked to the faith of the Catholic Church for comfort and guidance, Father Lester Smith of St. Malachy’s being a frequent and welcome visitor. He will be buried at St. Malachy’s Cemetery alongside his wife. He will be missed by many and regarded for many years as a source of inspiration and blessing.  
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday from St. Malachy’s Church, East State St., Sherburne, followed by the interment with military honors in St. Malachy’s Cemetery.
Friends are invited to call at the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.
 To send a condolence or sign the Book of Memories online go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com.