James Edward "Jim" Purcell, of Perkasie, PA, passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at the Horsham Center for Jewish Life, Horsham, PA.  He was 70.

He was the loving husband of the late Elizabeth Anne "Libby" (Horn) Purcell until her passing on April 20, 1991.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late William J. and Rosemarie (Cahill) Purcell.  A 1971 graduate of Archbishop Wood High School, Warminster, PA, he completed his electrician apprenticeship in 1975 as well as his degree in energy efficiency.

Jim worked as an electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local No. 98 for over 40 years.  Early in his working career, he sold real estate.

Few public officials in Perkasie's recent history have made a bigger contribution to Perkasie Borough than Jim.  His long and outstanding record of public service for Perkasie Borough began in August 1977, when Jim was appointed to serve on the Pennridge Wastewater Treatment Authority.  Jim was named as its president in 1982 and served in that capacity for over a decade.  Jim also served on the Perkasie Regional Authority.

Jim also started his long-time membership with the Pennridge Jaycees during that period.  In 1979, Jim championed the project of a walking trail in Lenape Park as a Centennial gift to the borough from the Jaycees.  Jim and his wife Libby also took part in the Fire Aide efforts after the Great Fire of 1988 Perkasie.

During the 1990's Jim remained active as a member of the Grand View Hospital Foundation and in the efforts to rebuild downtown Perkasie as part of the Perkasie Town Improvement Association.

In December 1992, Jim was appointed to Perkasie Borough Council to fill a vacancy.  He was elected to Borough Council and also named to the Perkasie Planning Commission in 1996.  In 1997, Jim received the Sahli Service Award from the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association.  The award is presented to Association members with 20 or more years of service to a municipal authority.

After taking a break from elected office and the PWTA, Jim was elected to Perkasie Borough Council in November 2007, and he pledged to unite various groups to help develop Perkasie's town center.  Since 2008, Jim played important roles in the development of Perkasie's public power policies, including the stabilization of the electric rates and building an Electric Department widely recognized as providing outstanding public service.  Jim also served as the vice president of Perkasie Borough Council for many years.

Behind the scenes, Jim played a bigger role helping new businesses start in Perkasie using his experience and connections to solve problems and mentor newcomers to the borough.  And no one had a bigger appreciation of Perkasie's history and development.

To all his friends in Perkasie, he will be greatly missed, but Jim's legacy will hopefully inspire a new generation of leaders to give back to the community he felt was special and worthy of a lifetime of public service.

A member of the Perkasie Garden Club and Friends of Bill W., he was a member of the Saucon Lodge F & AM No. 469, Coopersburg, PA. He attended Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Hilltown, in his younger years.

A sports enthusiast and Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles fan, Jim played soccer in high school and in England. A history buff and collector, Jim loved studying family genealogy and watching the History Channel. He especially enjoyed working with his hands and tinkering as well as renovating homes with his son, Justin.  He also had a penchant for tending to his truck and restoring MG's and Mini Coopers.  Most of all, he will be remembered for his love for his family.

He is survived by his son, James Justin Purcell and his wife Kristen, of Perkasie; two grandchildren, Cayden and Ella; four brothers, William J. Purcell, Jr., of Bedminster, PA, Stephen F. Purcell and his wife Denise, of Telford, PA, Michael J. Purcell and his wife Dawn, of Zionsville, PA, and Christopher M. Purcell and his wife Robin, of Perkasie; and two sisters, Patrice M. Rubin and her husband Irwin, of Doylestown, PA, and Maureen L. Purcell, of Revere, PA.

Family and friends are invited to call from 12:00 to 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at the Suess-Gahman Funeral Home, 606 Arch Street, Perkasie, or from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Monday, December 4, 2023, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 100 Broad Street, Hilltown, PA. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday at the Church.  Following the Funeral Mass, everyone is invited to the funeral luncheon to be held at The Ram, 606 W. Chestnut St., Perkasie, PA.  Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family in Tohickon Union Cemetery, Weisel, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Perkasie Covered Bridge Restoration Project, c/o the Perkasie Historical Society, 513 W. Walnut Street, Perkasie, PA  18944.