Obituary of Daniel J. Purtell

Daniel Joseph Purtell, 35, of Binghamton passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2014, following a courageous battle with cancer. Daniel was an inspiration to us all. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Eugene and Mary Purtell and Donald and Jean Finch. He is survived by his wife, Serena Weckel-Purtell; parents, Terry and Joan Purtell; brother, Brian and Katherine Purtell; and nephew, Seamus. He is also survived by an incredibly devoted circle of aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and friends. Daniel graduated from Binghamton High School, where he played football and basketball, was selected to the 1996 Press and Sun Bulletin All Metro Football team and was an East Side Youth Association Scholarship winner. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Buffalo State College. Dan devoted himself to the care of others, working several summers at Camp Evans (Broome Developmental Center) and most recently as a teacher with Primrose Schools in Colorado. He truly lived life to the fullest and made homes in Buffalo, NY and Golden, CO before recently returning to Binghamton. He was an avid sports fan and was able to see most of this country in his efforts to visit all standing baseball stadiums. There are no words to describe the beauty that was Daniel. A Funeral Mass will be offered at the Church of Saints John and Andrew, Vestal Avenue, Binghamton Wednesday at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Daniel may be made to the Daniel Purtell Memorial Fund for children's needs c/o Calvin Coolidge School, 261 Robinson Street, Binghamton, NY 13904.