Former Wayne Councilman Alan Purcell Dies

WAYNE, NJ — Alan Purcell, a longtime Ward 1 councilman and animal rights advocate, died Sunday.

Purcell, 66, "will be remembered as a man who was always engaged with community and helping his neighbors," his family said in their obituary of him.

Purcell represented Ward 1 on the Wayne Township Council for 20 years before stepping down in June 2013. His health had been deteriorating in the months leading up to the resignation. He battled Emphysema since 2004.

Purcell advocated for and protected animals. He helped rescue abused and neglected animals for years as an officer with the Passaic County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and volunteered regularly at the Wayne Township Animal Shelter. The shelter was renamed in his honor in 2013. Purcell was instrumental in moving the shelter to Pompton Plains Crossroads.

"Alan was very dedicated to the residents of the First Ward while serving as their councilman. He was instrumental in getting the town to move ahead with improving and opening our new animal shelter," Mayor Chris Vergano said. "And most importantly, I considered him a loyal friend. Our condolences go out to his family."

Purcell was born in Clifton and then moved to Garfield before settling with his family in Wayne in 1985.

Purcell also loved "all things fast and loud" and enjoyed working on cars with his sons, attending car shows, and spending time with his friends and family.

Purcell was a field technician and mechanic for Sears Roebuck & Co., for 30 years. He formed his own business, Just Garages LLC in 2003.

Purcell is survived by his wife of 32 years, Susan; sons Anthony and Paul, and his wife Catrina; grandson Alan; three sisters Joan Wojdyla, and her husband, Fritz, Joyce Cicalese, and her husband, Frank, and Linda; and several cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Visitation with the family is at Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road in Wayne, on Thursday, June 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral service is at 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 21. A funeral Mass is at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Purcell's name may be made to the Alan Purcell Wayne Animal Shelter, 201 Pompton Plains Crossroad, Wayne.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com