William B Purcell April 9, 1939 – February 19, 2023

William Brian Purcell of Punta Gorda, FL, and formerly of Greenwich, CT, passed away after a valiant but futile battle against Covid-related illnesses.

Bill, as he was known, was born April 9, 1939, to William Joseph Purcell and Rita Methe Purcell in Greenwich, CT. He attended Greenwich High School, received his undergraduate degree in Economics at Washington College in Chestertown, MD, and his graduate degree in Banking from the University of Wisconsin. His business career led from banking as Commercial Loan Officer to private corporate finance as VP/CFO. Bill was honorably discharged from the Army National Guard in 1969.

Bill met the love of his life, Holleyanne Adair Mahoney, in 1985. They married in 1986 and spent almost 37 glorious years together. Their shared love of sailing, boating and the water, and each other, took them on a wide variety of experiences from the Coast of Maine and New England, Quebec City to the Virgin Islands, the Pacific Northwest to the Southwest Coast of Ireland, sailing or powering. Bill was a sailor's sailor, having extensive experience racing locally on Long Island Sound, Block Island Race Weeks, NYYC Cruises, and Indian Harbor YC cruises and Bermuda Races. Together, Bill and Holley did The Great Loop, a circumnavigation of the Eastern Third of the United States by water in their trawler, settling in Punta

Gorda, Florida, in 2004.

Bill grew up at Indian Harbor Yacht Club where his father was the manager for over 40 years. He was active as a member and served as a Director and chair of various committees and functions with his wife. He had been a member of The Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda, the US Power Squadron, and was a member of the Cruising Club of America.

A kind, gentle person with a quiet sense of humor, Bill was a friend to many, many people over the years; including friends from grade school, high school and his sailing friends. He will be missed in many ways.

Bill was predeceased by his father, mother and older brother, Skip (Connie) Purcell. He is survived, in addition to his wife, by his sisters Judy (Steve) Plank of San Diego, CA, and Tara (David) Fell of Heber City, UT; and several nieces and nephews. There will be a Celebration of Life for local friends here in Punta Gorda, FL, in the future.