Obituary of Fred S. Purdy

Mr. Frederick Styles Purdy, 85, originally of St. Johnsville, NY, passed away on June 13, 2024, at the Palatine Nursing Home.

Fred was born on July 29, 1938, in Springdale Connecticut, the son of Charles Walter Purdy and Iva Beers Purdy, both who predeceased him.

Fred loved his country and served in the US Army from 1963-1965 as an Airborne Infantryman and Pathfinder with the 1st Cavalry Division while deployed to Vietnam.  Fred was proud of his service and often spoke about his time serving as a paratrooper. 

Fred worked in the family upholstery business and tree service.  He later became an airplane pilot and owned his own plane.  He worked for a private flight company flying to many locations across the country and gave flight lessons to student pilots. 

Fred lived simply.  He was an avid outdoorsman and loved nature, especially animals.  He rescued many injured animals and nursed them back to health before returning them to the wild.  He was a very talented man, in many respects.  He was a craftsman and could create anything from nothing.  He was a genius using his hands and loved to tinker and fix everything.  He was very proud of the old International and Mack trucks he restored and enjoyed driving them around town.  He also created amazing art with just a piece of wood, a hammer, and a nail. 

Fred was very witty and loved to joke around with every person he met.     

He attended the Grandview Baptist Church in Fort Plain.

Besides his parents, Fred was also predeceased by his brother, David C. Purdy.

Survivors include his nephew, Matthew Purdy and his wife Judytte, great-niece Aaliyah and great-nephew Lincon, and his niece Elisabeth Purdy.

Arrangments are entrusted to Houghtaling and Hanley Funeral Home, 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at the Fort Plain Cemetery on July 29th at 10AM.