John Samuel Purpura's Obituary
John Samuel Purpura
Our beloved John Samuel Purpura (Age 72), known to his family as “Junior,” went into the arms of our Lord at 3:20 am on May 8th, 2016. He was born on March 13th, 1944. The first child of John and Rose, he grew up in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, attending Catholic school and working in the family produce yards with his father. Later, he and the family packed up and moved to Costa Mesa, California.
After High School, he enlisted in the Air Force, serving his country for six years in the Vietnam War as a loadmaster, stationed in Dover Air Force Base. He later moved back to California, where he spent most of his adult life, searching for buried treasures and forgotten legends. An adventurer and a pioneer, he loved reading about outlaws of the Old West and dreamed of uncovering their lost plunder.
But the greatest treasure for him was always his family, which he loved with all his heart and worked hard to provide for them. Now he has embarked on a new adventure, leaving us behind to see him off and wish him Godspeed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John F. Purpura and Rose Marie Evans, and grandparents Cosimo “Sam” Purpura and Grazia “Grace” Puccio. He is survived by his brothers, Joseph and Paul Purpura and sisters, Denise Hamernick and Marianne Clever. He is also survived by his wife, Rita Gail Purpura, his three sons, John “Johnny” Edwin Purpura, James Purpura, and Antony “Tony” Purpura, his daughter-in-law Stephanie Purpura (who is married to James), his grandsons Cannon, Duncan, Cooper and Hudson, and granddaughter Abbie, all of which he loved with all his heart.
He also leaves behind countless friends, in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
I love you, Dad. I mourn your passing, but rejoice that you are in Paradise, at peace, and free to find your treasure. I know in my heart that we will meet again!
-Written by Tony Purpura, May 11th, 2016
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