Obituary of Alexander Purdy

ALEXANDER DAVID GEORGE PURDY

1937 – 2017

With his sense of humour still intact and surrounded by his entire family, David passed away the evening of September 2, 2017, in his 81st year.

With his three sisters, Beverly (Heyd), Carol (Trusler) and Heather (Schreiber), David was raised on Rosemary Lane in Toronto.  The only son of the late Dr. Arthur and Ethel Purdy, he attended Upper Canada College, received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Western Ontario and his Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall in Toronto.

After being admitted to the bar in 1966, he spanned a 31-year career with Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt before retiring in 1997. He then became Special Counsel to Kodak Canada from 1997-2001 and, more recently, acted as a Part Time Vice Chair and Member of Ontario’s Workplace Safety Insurance Appeals Tribunal.

Firmly believing that everyone should give back to the community, he followed his father’s footsteps as President of the Kiwanis Club of Toronto, serving on the Advisory Board of Humewood House, and as a Trustee of Bloorview McMillan Children’s Hospital.

He was truly a man for all seasons, feeling equally at ease at a black tie affair, joking with his six grandchildren, fly fishing at Caledon Mountain Trout Club, blading his long driveway on his trusty Ferguson tractor, or enjoying the magnificent Muskoka sunsets. He was an avid reader, a boisterous companion and a fine addition to any social event. His humour was legendary, along with his somewhat caustic tongue, and many were delighted, and often surprised, by his take on life. He hated computers, begrudgingly used a cell phone, and could fix anything at all with or without instructions. Family and friends meant the world to him, and his most cherished moments were spent in lively conversation at his cottage on Lake Rosseau. He loved desserts. He was marvellous and maddening, a fine judge of character, alarmingly honest and honestly alarming, and we loved him.

Predeceased by his first wife and childhood sweetheart, Joy (nee Hampton), he will truly be missed by his present wife, Ann and their combined family; David, Sandy (Julia), James (Chontelle), Andrea, and Jon (Karin), as well as his beloved grandchildren; Thomas, Matthew, Drew, Cameron, Jackson and Piper, his extended family and many, many friends.

Our sincere appreciation to Jan, Vikki, Jenna, Amanda and Stephen for their kind, loving and professional support.  They, along with the fine staff at The Stronach Cancer Centre, enabled David to travel this journey with dignity and grace.

The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES – NEWBIGGING

CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 7th.   Funeral services will be held in ST. JOHN’S YORK MILLS ANGLICAN CHURCH, 19 Don Ridge Drive, Toronto on Friday, September 8th at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake Hospital (596 Davis Drive, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 2P9) would be appreciated. Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.