Charles William Purcell

Charles William Purcell March 1, 1947-March 14, 2021 Charles Purcell, “Chuck” died of a heart attack while on his bi-weekly run inSacramento’sMcKinley Park. Hewas a professor/Department Chair of Ornamental Horticultureat American River Collegein Sacramento.WhileChuckreceived many awards throughout his36-yearteaching career, none was as precious to him as thet-shirt from his granddaughters that reads, “BestGampyEver.” Chuck was born in San Francisco and raised in the Sunset District where he attended West Portal Lutheran Elementary School, Lowell High School and San Francisco Community College. He transferred to Cal Poly where he met his wife, LindaAstiasuain.Following graduationfrom Cal Polyand marriage at Mission San Luis Obispo deTolosa, Chuck joined the US Air Force and the couple moved to Tacoma WA for one year and Anchorage AK for three years.Theyreturned toSan FranciscowhereChucktaughtOrnamental Horticulturefor two yearsat San Francisco Community Collegeand their daughter, Laurel was born.Chuck was hired as a full-time instructor at American River College and the family made their home in Roseville for 30 yearsuntil Laurel married and moved to Sacramento.Following their daughter and her family,thecoupledecided to move to the older East Sacramento neighborhood they’d admired for so long and welcomed Mia Lederer, first grandchild, on the day they moved into their home. Her sister,Lucy Lederer was born two years later.Sandwiched in with babysitting,Chuck and Lindaenjoyedretirementand traveled extensivelyacross the US on the trainas well asenjoying26 cruises to foreign lands--always returning to their belovedCentralCoast for annual vacations. Due to COVID restrictions, aprivatecelebration of Chuck’s well-lived life was held for family and close friends at Sacramento’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a military honor guard presenting the US flag to his wife. He will be buried at theSacramento Valley National Cemetery.Chuck leaves behind hisbest friend andwife of 52 years, Linda; his daughter, Laurel, and two granddaughters, Mia and Lucy Lederer. Also surviving isa brother, Reverend Michael Purcell of Phoenix AZ. Chuck is preceded in deathby hisyoungerbrother David and hisparents, Charles W. Purcell Sr. and BethelDobrinskiPurcell.Chuck will be remembered as a person of great integrity, humility, anddevotion to family.