Obituary of Hubert Atkinson Purdy

DORCHESTER, N.B. – Hubert Atkinson Purdy, 91, of Dorchester, N.B., passed away peacefully in his sleep and in the comfort of his own bed at home, into God’s arms, to rejoin the love of his life, Ida, to continue their eternal love in the presence of the heavenly Father. Hubert is survived by sons Peter, Tim (Sharon), Stephen, Mike (Lorrie), 16 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents; 11 siblings; wife, Ida O’Ressa (Dickie) Purdy; son Dick Purdy; grandson Jeremy Purdy; daughter-in-law Janice (Rousseau) Purdy and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Born in Millvale, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia on October 3, 1923, Hubert was the youngest of 12 children of John Lawson Purdy and Mary Ellen (Thompson) Purdy. Growing up on a farm, he loved to hunt and fish and much preferred the country life any day compared with larger areas. He often spoke of his regrets of leaving the rural country surroundings he grew up in. Leaving school at age 16, Hubert was a woodsman, mechanic and correctional officer who gave much to his community and church over his long life. The door was always open to local youth who felt at ease in the Purdy home and over the years many talented young musicians could be heard blasting Rock and Roll from Hubert and Ida’s basement during band practice. From early on, Hubert and Ida were community minded, having both grown up in farming communities. After moving to Dorchester, Hubert became a Mason and Member of The Eastern Star. In the 1970’s, he served several years on Village Council in a number of capacities but was most proud of the work he did with youth while running the Recreation Department. In addition to earning several war-time medals, Hubert also received a Canadian Legion Lifetime Membership for Outstanding Service as well as an Exemplary Service Award from Corrections Canada. In 2007 he was recognized by the Province of New Brunswick with a Community Leadership Award and last summer was named Dorchester Citizen of the Year. A very humble man, he appreciated these awards but his true pleasure was helping those in need, sometimes anonymously but often he would hear “through the grapevine” that someone needed help and he would help out in any way he could. He was very generous to the church community in the same way and rarely would spend money on himself. He was a true “philanthropist” in every sense of the word. Hubert and Ida loved to travel on occasion and made 3-4 cross country trips, often to visit family living in Alberta and British Columbia, with some side trips through the U.S. Their biggest travel adventure was in the early 1970’s with friends Maurice and Ina Cawdle when they traveled to England and Scotland for a trip of a life time. He married the love of his life Ida O’Ressa (Dickie) in 1946 and she remained his lifelong friend and love until her passing in 2002 after 56 years of marriage. Hubert and Ida’s love for their children and grandchildren was evident daily and on special occasions such as the “family lobster party reunions” that they hosted for many years. When they were able, they never missed an opportunity to bring family together and these memories will be cherished forever. In their younger years, Hubert and Ida enjoyed church socials (they were both Sunday school teachers at one time at the Millvale Baptist Church), playing cards and dances. Visitation is at Campbell’s Funeral Home in Sackville, N.B. Thursday, July 2nd from 2-4pm and 7-9pm with Masonic and Legion ceremonies to be held between 6-7 pm on Thursday at the funeral home. The funeral service will take place at the Millvale United Baptist Church in Millvale, N.S. at 2pm on Friday, July 3rd, 2015. Reception to follow burial. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Hubert may be made to the Millvale United Baptist Church, Millvale, N.S. or to the charity of one’s choice. Service to Canada: In 1943, Hubert joined the Nova Scotia Highlanders Militia and then the Royal Canadian Army Service Corp. After training in Canada and Europe, he joined the 4th Canadian Armoured Division, as they made their way from England, through France, Belgium and Holland before crossing into Germany. In Dusseldorf, Germany, Hubert received the first of three major injuries he would get in Europe. During a battle, Hubert was hit by shrapnel which was lodged in his right side and right arm. The metal still remains in his arm and the shrapnel in his back was removed 67 years after the injury. Soon after, Hubert was stabbed in his neck, stitched up, given two days of rest and back into active duty once again. Moving towards Berlin, Hubert’s unit was in another battle. This time Hubert was shot in his left side by a 9mm pistol. In addition to the scars and shrapnel he carries, he lost much of his hearing from the weapons being fired and the explosions all around. Hubert was in Germany when Berlin fell, with an unconditional surrender signed by Germany in May 1945. One week later, Hubert signed up to go to Japan as the war was still raging there. He was supposed to go for training in Kentucky then onto Japan. However, the United States devastated Hiroshima on August 6th and Nagasaki, Japan on August 9th and the Japanese surrendered on September 2, 1945. The war was over for Hubert but he never found personal peace from his war experience. The war and the atrocities he had seen by both sides, haunted him to his final days. He rarely spoke of his war days until 2 years ago and when he did, it was almost always with tears. When asked if there were any positives from the war, Hubert was quick to answer that it was during wartime that he met the love of his life, Ida. He also became best friends with a fellow soldier Norman Corbett, a friend he was in basic training at Camp Borden with. A brave soldier. A great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, community leader – this list goes on and on. Despite the medals that hang on his wall, he never considered himself a hero by any means but to his family, he was exactly that.