Alton Purdy

Aug. 26, 1942 — Feb. 3, 2013

Alton J. Purdy passed away Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, at Kaiser Hospital in Vacaville.

Al was born Aug. 26, 1942, to Alton R. and Mary (Zavodny) Purdy in Buffalo, N.Y. He was an only child.

Al’s dedication to education was a lifelong pursuit. His journey began at the University of Buffalo in 1965 where he earned his bachelor’s in political science.

Between 1971 and 1979 Al went on to earn two master’s degrees (M.S.Ed and M.P.A.) from the University of Southern California. He also attended the Air War and Air Command & Staff colleges as well as the U.S. Defense Language Institute during the years he served in the U.S. Air Force.

Al was commissioned into the United States Air Force in 1965 and served 20 years. He served as a special agent who specialized in criminal and counterintelligence in the Office of Special Investigations. Upon retirement, he worked as an investigator for the United States Defense Investigative Service.

A man with many hats, Al was also an adjunct faculty member at Solano Community College from 1977 to 2006. He taught various courses in business and mathematics over the years, most notably real estate principles, introduction to business and real estate practices. He also served as the academic senate president and was actively involved in many areas relating to faculty and staff over the years.

Al began a long career in the real estate business in Solano County when he founded and operated two Century 21 franchised real estate agencies in 1989.

Al loved to spend time with his family and friends. He was actively involved with his local churches, serving, at one time, as a parish counsel president at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. He was elected to the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District school board and served as its president for many years.

Al is survived by his bride, Romaine; daughters, Jennifer Purdy-Brown, Leeanne (Arthur) Purdy-Martinez, Sharon (Michael) Henderson; son, Edward (Andrea) Purdy; and grandchildren, Katherine & Laura Brown, Nathaniel & Mikayla Martinez and Madalyn Purdy.

Viewing and Rosary will be held 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, at the Nadeau Family Funeral Home, 180 E. Monte Vista Ave., Vacaville. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 350 Stinson Ave., Vacaville with Fr. Michael McFadden officiating. Burial will follow at St. Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery, 1707 Union Ave., Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Al’s name may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163, or the Cal Maritime Academy Foundation for education. Contact Beverly Byl, 654-1037.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Nadeau Family Funeral Home, 455-7700, www.nadeaufuneralhome.com.