Robert. R. Purdy

Elizabethtown and Keene; Robert R. Purdy, 78, passed away early Wednesday morning, November 13, 2013, at his home.
Bob was born August 20, 1935 in Greece NY, the son of the late Wilmont "Monty" and Anna Lorraine (Burritt) Purdy. Bob was also predeceased by his son Bobby in 2006.
Bob was a veteran of the US Air Force, serving from 1952 until 1956.He was Supervisor of the Town of Keene from 1970 until 1982 and from 1992 until 1997, He served as the Essex County Fire coordinator for several years. Bob was a member of the Keene Volunteer Fire Department for 48 years and served as Commissioner of the Department for a time. He was very active in the NYS Association of Counties and Towns. Bob was a former National Chairman of the US Olympic Bob Sled Committee and was a bob sled driver for many years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 504 in AuSable Forks and a former long time member of the Keeseville Lodge 2072 BPO Elks.
Bob had many friends all over the country. He was known for his jolly personality, storytelling, humor and hospitality. He enjoyed cooking, attending his children's athletic events, riding his lawn mower on the lawn or around town, and he especially enjoyed being with his family and going for rides in the car with Denise. He was a special person who will be missed.
Survivors include his loving wife Denise of Elizabethtown; His daughters Diane of Keene;
Tammy Leon of Milwaukee, WI, Heather (Rob) Shaw of Lake Placid; Nichole (Ty) FitzGerald of Colchester Vt. and Brittany Purdy of Elizabethtown; his daughter-in -law Debbie of Peru; His sister Beverly (Paul) Greenwood of Keene and his brother Ronald (Katy) Purdy of Keene; his grandchildren Eric, Zachery and Ali Leon, Thomas Vassar, Nicholas and Lauren Shaw, Emily, Leah and Andrew FitzGerald and Shelby and Jake Purdy; his great grandchildren Lucas Leon and Emmitt Ives; his Aunt Betty Smith of Rochester, NY, and several nieces nephews and cousins.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday November 23, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Keene Valley Congregational Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Edward L. Kelly Funeral Home in Schroon Lake.
The family would like memorials to take the form of donations to the Keene Volunteer Fire Department, Keene, NY 12942, or St. Jude' Children's Hospital, 501 St Jude's Place, Memphis Tn. 38105.