RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Reverend Thomas J. Purtell has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Thomas J. Purtell was a widely admired member of the religious community and the Pastor Emeritus of St. John Fisher Parish; and
WHEREAS, A native of Chicago, the Reverend Thomas J. Purtell was the son of the late John and Elizabeth; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Thomas J. Purtell graduated from Our Lady of Victory School in Chicago, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary;
WHEREAS, The Reverend Thomas J. Purtell was ordained to the priesthood on May 1, 1961 by Albert Cardinal Meyer, Archbishop of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, During his ministry as a priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, the Reverend Thomas J. Purtell served at St. Joseph Parish in Homewood from 1961 to 1966, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish from 1966 to 1973, St. Benedict Parish in Blue Island from 1973 to 1979 and from St. John Fisher from 1979 to 1984; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Thomas J. Purtell resided in his retirement at St. Christina Parish Rectory in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, The faithfulness, sacrifice and dedication of the Reverend Thomas J. Purtell serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Thomas J. Purtell will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and parishioners; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, the Reverend Thomas J. Purtell imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twentieth day of September, 2018, do hereby commemorate the Reverend Thomas J. Purtell for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of the Reverend Thomas J. Purtell.
