Michael C. Purcell, September 6, 1911-February 26, 2012
Michael C. Purcell was born September 6, 1911 in Los Angeles, California to Fred and Vera Purcell. Michael passed away on February 26, 2012 at the Olivia White Hospice House in Flagstaff. His family moved to Arizona to operate a sheep operation in 1913 from Bakersfield, California. He attended grade school, high school and Junior College in Phoenix. He later graduated from the University of Southern California in 1934 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.
In 1935, he purchased the Black Cat Café, which he ran for some five years before selling it and purchasing the Coca Cola Bottling franchise for Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties. In 1965, he sold the franchise and continued to operate Flagstaff Vending Company until 1992.
His many Civic and Fraternal associations included serving on the Flagstaff City Council and serving as the Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission of Flagstaff. He helped form the Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission and assisted on the committee drawing up the Charter for the City Manager form of government for Flagstaff. He later served on the committee to revise and clarify that charter under which the City of Flagstaff still operates.
He was a director for the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and was President for two terms for the Flagstaff Symphony Association. During that time, the Flagstaff Summer Festival was formed and he served two years as the Director. He was also Chairman of the State Fair Commission for two years and served on the Flagstaff Advisory Board for First Federal Savings and Loan Association for more than ten years. He was a life member of the Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge and The Shriners. He joined the Flagstaff Rotary Club in 1937 and was a member for 75 years. He served as President of that Club and later as District Governor of Rotary District 549 in 1972-1973.
He married his wife Margaret in 1936 and she preceded him in death in 2008. He is survived by his daughter, Carole Gilmore and son, Michael Purcell, both of Flagstaff. He also has three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
To honor his wishes, there will be no services. The family would like to thank Richard Lozano of Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary for his help during this time of their lives. Donations can be made in his name to your favorite charity or to The Rotary Foundation at Box 1680, Flagstaff, AZ 86002.