Friday, August 10, 2012
This is the posting that was sent out to all Union Lodge Brethren. Bill was a member of our Lodge for 27+ years.
It is with regret that I advise you of the passing of Bro. Bill Purdy.
Bro.Purdy passed away at home sometime between Sunday evening and this morning. Bill's daughter was away for the weekend and attempted to contact Bill Tuesday morning but there was no answer. Given Bills busy schedule of driving people to appointments, etc., this was not considered a concern. She then tried to get in touch with him very early Wednesday morning and when there was no answer became concerned and summons other members of the family and they found Bill at t he house.
Before he retired, Bill was the owner of Purdy Signs on Lake Street in Grimsby which he started the year I was born (1959). He was THE sign maker for just about everyone in town and to this day, most of the signs on Main Street are Purdy signs. He also designed and created most of the signs throughout the years for every charitable endeavor in Grimsby and the surrounding area including the WLMH Tree of Healthy Wishes and many others.
There was not a single thing that Bill could not or would not paint, although sometimes you got more than you bargained for. W.Bro. Wayne Childs related the time that Bill was painting for of the fire equipment for the Stoney Creek Fire Department and proceeded to add "Captain Crunch" across the front of the truck, an inside joke to Wayne. Every job he did with pride from W.Bro. Brian Cock's landscaping trucks to the largest signs for rthe businesses of Grimsby
Bro. Purdy was a man who did his work well and once it was done moved onto the next task. At times, he was thought to be a phantom because no one ever saw him but the signs (pun intended)that he had been there were on display for all to see. Bill was an example of "the man who moves quietly and modestly through his life . . ."
Bro. Purdy faced many trials and tribulations during his life but overcame every one of them. When I think of Bill, I immediately think of a jolly man with a great smile. It was my good fortune for Bill to consider me one of his friends, even before I became a Mason and there were many times when I dropped by his shop just for a visit. No matter how busy he was, he was always happy to see any visitor and listened with one ear while continuing to work with his hands. He was a lways on the go from morning to night and then some as well.
I remember dropping by to see Bill and Fran and was taken aback by a beautiful painting of a sunset. When I asked, Bill sheepishly admitted that he had been "playing around". It was absolutely beautiful and I remember it to this day.
As many of you know, Bill was one of the first people to receive a hip replacement. He was one of the early test patients and true to his nature, he gave his replacements quite a work out. One day he and I talked about his hip replacements while he was waiting for his next one and he told me with a twinkle in his eye that "He just kept wearing them out". He was just a little bit proud of the fact that they had not managed to make a replacement that could keep up with him.
Bill was married to Fran for many, many years and they had a number of children (I am sorry but I do not remember how many) who have grown and are married and have families of their own. In the later years, both Bill and Fran had health concerns and they both took care of each other as best they could. They moved from Lake Street to their home on Kerman Avenue because they just could not keep up with the chores of the old house.
In the last 5 or 6 years, Bill became more of the principal caregiver for Fran and this was the main reason that we did not see Bill out at Lodge. As Bill was fond of saying, "Franny needs me" and this was said with the smile of a man who is glad that he can take care of the woman he loves. It was really difficult on Bill when Fran passed away a year or so ago and many of us know just how much he missed Fran. Bill had to discover other reasons to get up in the morn ing and he became busy with a number of things from Meals On Wheels to driving senior friends on errands and driving for the Red Cross. He filled his days which is why it was not a surprize when his daughter called him on Tuesday and he was not at home. I remember leaving a message for him one day and it took almost 5 day for him to get back to me because he "was just so busy".
Most recently, Bill has been suffering with bone cancer which was causing him quite a bit of pain. As much as possible, Bill continued to do the best he could to continue helping others. A few months back, Bill was accepted into a 9 month cancer study at the Jurvinski Clinic in Hamilton. He knew that there was very little chance that it would provide much help for him but "if it helps someone else in the future, that would be great". In fact, he was suppose to go t o the Clinic this morning to start the treatments.
Bro Bill and R.W.Bro. Clark Brooks had a long and close friendship. R.W.Bro. Brooks told me today that he and Bill along with Donna, Rev. Barry Jones and his wife Bonnie got out to lunch this past Wednesday. Bill and Clark were in the front seat and talked and joked all the way to and from the place they were going to eat. In Clark's description, I could hear the absolute pleasure the two of them shared.
Like many of you, it was my honour and pleasure to know Bro. Bill Purdy. God has called him from Labour to Refreshment, to put down his tools and to paint the heavens with Fran by his side.
Whenever I see the glorious colours in the sky at the end of day, I will think of Bill.
Sincerely,
W.Bro. Chris Warden
