Richard Alan Purcell, U.S. Navy (Ret.), 70, of Albion, died on Friday, May 11, 2012 at St. Vincent Health Center after a long illness.

He was born on February 24, 1942 in Erie, son of the late William and Ruth (Haibach) Purcell. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cheryl Ann (Muller) Purcell on August 26, 2011 and his daughter, Rikelle Allison Purcell.

He was a lifetime member of The American Legion. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, NASCAR, welding and carpentry. He was a 1960 graduate of Academy High School and after graduation he joined the Navy. He served in the submarine service for 21 years, retiring as Senior Chief Petty Officer - Machinist's Mate. After his retirement from the Navy, he and his family returned to Pennsylvania from Connecticut. He was employed as a sales representative for Dresser-Rand, Olean, N.Y. from 1981 until he retired in 2005.

He is survived by his son, William Purcell of Albion, his daughter, Rebecca Purcell-Pietrzykowski and her husband, Edward, of South Hadley, MA, his granddaughter, Ruth Pietrzykowski, and his grandson, Elias Pietrzykowski, both of South Hadley, Mass. A Catholic funeral mass at St. Lawrence Church in Albion and burial was held privately by the family on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Legion at www.legion.org. The Mattera Funeral Home, 188 East State Street, Albion handled the funeral arrangements.

Published in the Erie Times-News on May 17, 2012.