Patrick Purcell, Army Veteran
“We Honor Veterans Program” is VNAHSR’s way of honoring veterans receiving Hospice services to offer gratitude and recognition for their dedicated service in their final days. Our wonderful hospice volunteers pinned and gave certificates ~50 veterans in 2025. Here is Patrick’s story.
Patrick E. Purcell is surrounded by his beloved cousins, friends, and fellow residents and staff at the Center for Living and Rehabilitation where he resides. They have come to honor him and recognize his service to his country.
Mr. Purcell was born in New York City on May 4th, 1933. He moved to Vermont as a child and attended Bennington High School. He later attended Northeastern University. He entered the U.S. Army in 1952 at the age of nineteen. He received Transportation Corps training in the Army at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
During his three years of service, Patrick achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was also awarded the National Defense, United Nations, Korean and Good Conduct medals. During this time, Pat also fostered a love of opera which remains with him to this day.
After Mr. Purcell left the service, he was employed in the Traffic Department of the Boston and Maine Railroad. He tells the story about two Army transportation friends whom he encountered in civilian life several years later. Both had been sent to Korea while Patrick deployed to Japan, so they lost touch. Following their service both men became employed in the traffic departments of large U.S. companies with needs for rail services. This brought about an unexpected and welcome reunion as they established professional working relationships with Pat in order to get their products delivered.
Later Patrick worked in the sales department of the Pennsylvania Railroad in various management positions. In 1976 he was selected to serve in the Washington D.C. Unit (USRA) that drastically reorganized Eastern Railroads for the better. That same year he was commissioned a “Kentucky Colonel” by the Governor of Pennsylvania for his efforts to help commerce in the State.
Patrick retired in 1994 as Senior Consultant in the Marketing and Sales Department of Conrail after a forty-year career in the railroad industry. He has also been a long-time member of the American Legion and VFW.
In addition to humbly receiving a pin and certificate in honor of his service in the U.S. Military, Patrick had a small request; for coffee ice cream. The wonderful staff at CLR graciously provided this treat which was enjoyed by everyone who joined to witness this well-deserved award presentation and participate in the celebration of Pat’s amazing life.
