Robert S. Puricelli

Robert S. Puricelli of Fort Edward, New York, age 78 passed away peacefully at home on March 5

2024 with Diane by his side holding hands as they had done for 54 years. He was diagnosed with

MDS in 2016. He was a patient at Dana-Farber Boston, Mass and of the C.R Wood Cancer

Center at Glens Falls Hospital.

He was the son of Enzo Puricelli and Angeline (Gagne) Puricelli, born in Springfield,

Massachusetts on December 27,1945. The family moved to Glens Falls, New York in 1955 when

Bob was 10 years old.

He graduated from Glens Falls High School in 1964. He attended Adirondack Community College

before enlisting into the Navy in 1965. He served on the USS Nespelen (AOG-55) during the

Vietnam War which frequently operated in the Mediterranean Sea.

He was stationed out of Little Creek, Virginia. Bob was honorably discharged in 1968 having

been awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Bob was very

proud of his service during this period of his life.

After his honorable discharge he returned to Glens Falls, New York where he married Diane M.

Lawrence of Trenton, New Jersey April 19, 1969 at the Church of the Annunciation.

Bob was a 1975 graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois and was certified in

electronics. Bob had a 32 year career with General Electric in various capacities until his

retirement in 1997.

His hobbies were golfing, skiing, boating, flying model planes and building computers. He sailed

many years on Lake George and more years on Lake Champlain. He and Diane loved to sail and

spending weekends on the lake and hanging out at anchor with their friends. In their later years,

they had a small trawler that they used in many adventures on the canal and on Lake

Champlain.

Bob was men’s club champion in 2007 at Kingsbury National Golf Club and was runner up a few

times at the Tee Bird Golf Club.

His favorite pals were his 6 Scottish terriers, MacDuff, Grover, Gracie, Peaches, Pippa Ann and

Charlotte. Charlotte did become his “best bud” when he was ill and loved to snuggle up to him

when she knew he was feeling badly.

His parents Enzo and Angeline Puricelli and his sister Lois Ann Hartranft of Utica predeceased

him.

He is survived by his wife Diane of 54 years, his nephews John Hartranft of Hannibal, New York,

Douglas Hartranft of Dallas, Texas, Christopher Hartranft and his wife Elisha of Mexico, New

York. Among his cousins, he regularly chatted with Warren Gagne(Kristin) of Essex Junction, Vt.

He would always say he and Warren were of kindred spirit as the two of them discussed tons of

topics and really enjoyed their company together when they were able. Cousin Joan

Piekarski (Bob) was one of Bob’s favorites to chat with and enjoy when they were able to get

together. He loved their rural Vermont home and enjoyed their visits there.

The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Stone at Dana Farber in Boston. A special thank you is

extended to Dr. Silverberg and nurse Stephanie for the many years of care provided as the

family physician.

Special thanks to Dr. Christopher Mason of the C.R.Wood Cancer Center and his nurses Barbara,

Susan and Laura. Many thanks to all the nurses in the treatment center who Bob got to know

very well and were very good to him when his illness was hard on him.

At Bob’s request there will be no services. Donations may be sent to the charity of one’s choice,

C.R. Wood Cancer Center of Glens Falls Hospital or to High Peaks Hospice, 454 Glen St., Glens Falls NY 12801.

Arrangements are in the care of the M.B. Kilmer, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward NY 12828.