Neil F. Purcell

Saddened to hear of Neil’s passing. We developed a friendship that lasted a number of years. To say he was both a Gentleman and a gentle man speaks volumes to how he tried to always live his life. Although we lost touch during Covid, I thought of him and Livia often. He left his mark which you all should be very proud of.

Today I remember and honor Neil — a man whose life touched so many people in quiet, meaningful, and unforgettable ways.

Neil was the kind of person who made others feel comfortable simply by being around him. He carried a warmth that could ease difficult days, a sense of humor that brought laughter when it was needed most, and a heart that cared deeply for the people in his life. He was a loyal man, a caring soul, and someone whose presence left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to have known him.

The loss of Neil leaves an emptiness that words cannot truly fill. When someone so genuine passes, it reminds us how precious life and friendship really are. Yet alongside the sadness is deep gratitude — gratitude for the memories, the conversations, the laughter, and the moments shared with him that will forever remain in my heart.

Neil’s life was not defined by grand gestures, but by the kindness he showed, the support he offered, and the way he made people feel seen and valued. Those are the things that matter most, and those are the things that will never be forgotten.

Though he is no longer physically with us, his spirit lives on in the stories shared, the memories cherished, and the lives he touched along the way.

To know Neil was a gift. To remember him is a blessing.

Always in our hearts .

Love Amanda

Many condolences to Livia. I knew Neil from his Picton days when his father, the legendary golf pro Fred Purcell, taught golf to Pictonians. I knew that Livia was a lover of “furry friends” and now from his obituary I know this of Neil too. The world was certainly a better place thanks to both of you.

My condolonces to the family. I didn’t know Neil but I used to go with Fred to Belleville and help when he taught golf indoors at a school. I do have one remebrance of Neil that would have been when he was around 20. We lived directly across from the Purcells. He made a snowfort for me out of a snowbank in front of their house. I was around 7 or 8 at the time but I’ve always remembered his kindness.

Dear Livia,

Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Neil. The beautiful tribute written in his memory so clearly captured his warmth, kindness, and gentle spirit. He touched so many lives with his caring nature and generosity of heart.

I will always treasure the times Neil stopped by during his walks with Lucky. Our conversations and moments spent together were truly special to me and will remain cherished memories. His friendship meant a great deal, and he will be deeply missed.

May the love and memories you shared bring comfort and peace in the days ahead. Thinking of you during this difficult time.

Love, Catherine

Dear Livia,

I’m truly heartbroken to hear of Neil’s passing. He was not only a wonderful person, but a very good friend to me, and I will always hold that friendship close. I keep thinking of the many times we spoke and how he could make even an ordinary moment feel meaningful just by the way he listened and responded—with patience, humour, and genuine care.

Neil had a way of making friends wherever he went, and it was never forced or loud—it was simply who he was. He made people feel comfortable almost immediately, like they had known him longer than they had. I always admired that about him. His thoughtfulness, kindness, wisdom, and quiet guidance were part of every interaction, even in the smallest exchanges.

I will always remember running into him on his walks with Lucky. Those brief encounters meant a great deal to me, and I always looked forward to seeing him. Even in passing, he had a way of making the moment feel warm and familiar.

There is a deep sadness in knowing he is gone, but also so much gratitude for having known him and shared those moments together. I will miss him more than I can properly put into words, but I will always be grateful for his friendship and the time I was lucky enough to share with him.

With love and deepest sympathy,
Elizabeth

I miss Neil greatly. Livia, Neil and I had wonderful special occasion meals together for years. These meals and visits celebrated Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. We dove heartily into food that we normally would avoid for reasons of good dietary health – burgers, giant deep-fried onion rings, French fries – the works! I enjoyed those visits, and every visit with them, and will always miss them. Neil was a remarkable man – kindly, intelligent, and able to discuss any topic one would care to delve into. Livia too is like that. It’s a huge loss to know that he is gone. However, I am left with so many good memories to hold and cherish. I have faith that we will all meet again.

Dear Livia,

Over the last few years, I came to see Neil in a very different and more meaningful way. As life became more difficult physically for him, what stood out to me was his gentleness, warmth, and kindness. I always appreciated his smile, the way his arms reached out for a hug, and how he loved to connect with others.

I still think about the compass Neil let me choose. It was such a thoughtful gesture, and now it reminds me about finding my way through life and the difficult seasons that come.

Looking back now, I see that even while his own world was becoming harder, his consistent kindness and gentleness were simply who he was. I believe the message to me was that no matter how difficult life gets… you’ve found your way when you can still be kind and gentle, when you can still be a safe place for others. That says so much about the kind of man he truly was.

I saw how much he loved, and how much you loved him back. I hope it brings some comfort to see how many lives he touched along the way.

With much love and sympathy,
Diane

It was a true privilege to know Neil, a man for whom I held the utmost respect and whose company I always thoroughly enjoyed. Over the years, Neil and his wonderful wife, Livia, became much more than clients to Amanda—they became people we deeply valued having in our lives.
Neil lived a life full of passion and fascinating stories. I will always fondly remember our conversations, whether he was sharing the thrill of flying high on the iconic British Airways Concorde, or offering his thoughtful wisdom and life experience, which he so generously shared whenever we chatted. We also shared a deep bond over his beloved MG car, and I am incredibly grateful for the driving experiences and mechanical passions we got to swap stories over.
But above all his adventures and passions, nothing compared to the love he had for his wife, Livia. She was truly the love of his life, and he spoke of her with endless devotion and pride every single time we met.
Neil was a lovely, remarkable man who left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. He will be deeply missed, but very fondly remembered. Our thoughts and deepest love are with Livia today.