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RICHARD PURDEY
Born: Jul 15, 1921
Date of Passing: Feb 19, 2015
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryRICHARD (DICK) PURDEY July 15, 1921 - February 19, 2015 With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Dick Purdey on February 19, 2015, at Deer Lodge Centre. He is survived by his daughter Pat Pinchin (Rick), grandson Jeffrey Pinchin, brother Donald (Roberta), sister Grace, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Grace, in 2010, his parents Walter and Mary (nee Knight), brothers Charlie and George (war), and sisters Hilda, Dorothy, Minnie and Doris. Dick was born in London, England and immigrated to Canada at age four in 1925. His mother, on her own, bringing six children under 14 to join their father on a farm near Wapella, Sask. Dick left school in grade eight to go to work. When war was declared in 1939, at age 17, he and his brother George joined the South Saskatchewan Infantry Regiment. After training in Canada and England, he and George took part in the Dieppe Raid in 1942. As a result of his performance at Dieppe, Dick was sent to officer training. Following graduation, he volunteered for the "Can-Loan" program where 400 officers were loaned to England to fill vacancies in the British Army. As a result, he led British regiments on the D-Day invasion and for the rest of the war. Part of his post-war activities in Europe included serving as the temporary Mayor of Nijmegen, Holland, rebuilding their civilian government after the departure of the German occupation. With the completion of European duty, Captain Purdey returned to Canada for his discharge from the military. Returning to civilian life in Winnipeg, he obtained his high school equivalency, learned the carpentry trade and joined the contracting firm of Wallace and Aitkins. His leadership skills on many projects, including Winnipeg Stadium, and the three colleges at the U of M., resulted in his rise to be the only non-family partner in the firm, from which he retired in 1980. Dick took up golf in his 40's, joining Southwood Golf & Country Club and it became his passion, eventually playing to a handicap of eight, and golfing his age several times in his 70's. Dick and Grace were very active in the many varied social functions at Southwood, and wintered with Southwood friends in Florida and Texas. He was proud of the fact that, in retirement, he and Grace enjoyed 17 years of vacations throughout North America and Hawaii. He was devoted to his family and particularly his grandson, Jeffrey, to whom he passed on his love of fishing, carpentry, and building. In keeping with Dick's wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no service. The family is most grateful for the excellent care provided to Dick by the staff at Deer Lodge Veterans Care on T5 and T7 as well as the love and kindness from his dear friends Diana and Kristy. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make a donation in his memory to Deer Lodge Centre Veteran's Care. We will always love you and miss you, Dad. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 28, 2015
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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So sorry. We were in different regiments both of which were mauled badly in Normandy and became reinforcements to others. Dick, Can loan, doug saffron, and I Had 4 day truck ride together to join the new units. It was wet but we shared a tarp owner unknown. - Posted by: Duncan MacDougall (CDN 273) on: Mar 04, 2015
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I am so very sorry for your loss, please accept my deepest condolences. Dick will be sadly missed but, certainly never forgotten by his family & close friends. I will miss our visits & time that we spent together, along with our many conversations & the so very interesting stories that he used to tell me about himself. Dick you were such a wonderful man & when you smiled your whole face would light up! You will be missed very much by everyone whose life you impacted, including myself. Good-bye my dear friend, Diana - Posted by: Diana Gudmundson (Friend) on: Feb 28, 2015
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To Pat, Rick and Jeffrey; We are very sorry to hear the news on our Uncle Dick. But Dick did live a long and full life (93 years!), with the best news of surviving WWII and having a family with Aunt Grace, enjoying your life Pat, and your marriage to Rick, and to see his grandson Jeffrey, grow up to be successful. That's a whole lot of happiness for a man, that had seen so many crazy things in his youth. Ever since I was a young boy growing up, knowing my Uncle Dick's story, I made it my vow to celebrate every Remembrance Day, and participate in every election, and look at all people in my community with a kind heart. ALWAYS remembering what Dick and my other two Uncles, and their classmates, had sacrificed for me and my father and brother. I grew up admiring him, like he was a star like a "John Wayne" character. My long ago memories are going back to celebrating at Christmas time together, and the wonderful sweaters that Dick and Grace wrapped for my brother and I. The wonderful parties that your mom and you, hosted. I remember the stories of Uncle Dick's fishing trips, with pictures to prove his successes from Lac Lu in Ontario. When I got older, I had to go there to Lac Lu, and introduced it to my parents and brother, and we had successful fishing trips too, and we namedropped my Uncle Dick to the locals, and they remembered him. Dick was a strong leader, and in true "Purdey tradition", was also a "rebel or a rogue", and today I often enjoy all the stories in history of all rebels that stand up or speak up for the other guy / girl, from the beginning of time. This quality of being a courageous rebel, that Uncle Dick and my father share, I am proud to be part of, like you Pat, and pass it on to our next generation/s, proudly! God Bless our Honorable Fallen Canadian Soldier, Richard(Dick) Purdey, and God Bless his Family everywhere. Sincere Regards and Blessings; Doug Purdey - Posted by: Doug and Loraine Purdey (Nephew) on: Feb 28, 2015
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