Denis Purcell

Denis Dale Purcell, 74, of Tustin, California, succumbed to heart disease in his home on Monday, August 26, 2019. Denis is survived by his sons Brian Purcell and Brendan Purcell, daughter Sheila Purcell, brothers Darryle Purcell, Eric Purcell, and Lynn Bolton, grandchildren Andrew and Ainsley Purcell, nephews Drew and Evan Purcell, and extended family. Denis was a loving father, husband, grandfather, uncle, and friend to everyone. His goal was to help people and to transform the current world we live in into heaven on Earth. He acted as a spiritual counselor to many people and earned a degree in thanatology (the study of death and dying). He volunteered in hospices and nursing homes to counsel people and families who were going through difficult times. Denis was born on April 29, 1945 in Whittier California. He grew up with his brothers Darryle and Lynn in a rural community near Redding, California. Denis excelled in math in high school and went on to earn his Master’s degree in electrical engineering from USC. He minored in philosophy, worked on a Masters in pure mathematics from UC Berkeley and held a secondary teaching credential from UCLA in math, philosophy, and German. He worked on government contracts for 15 years largely in the field of artificial intelligence. He also taught computer science and was a substitute teacher. Denis was a very spiritual man and believed that death is not the end of existence. He believed each one of us has a soul and that though the body may die, the soul is immortal. In his work in artificial intelligence, mathematics, and engineering, Denis was confronted with viewpoints that ran counter to his spiritual beliefs. He was faced with the limitations of what he viewed as “scientistic” or “materialistic” thinking. Despite this challenge, Denis continued to practice spirituality and became a leader in the Los Angeles chapter of IANDS (The International Association of Near-Death Studies) from 2003 to 2018. Denis looked forward to the afterlife and did not want to linger in a hospital towards the end of his life. He wanted to make his transition at home quietly and peacefully. Denis also believed that a funeral should not be a time of sorrow and grief. Rather it should be a time to rejoice and celebrate the life that was lived on Earth and the life that continues to exist. There will be a viewing from 9am to 11am on Saturday, September 7th at Saddleback Chapel 220 E. Main St. Tustin, CA 92780, a service at 11am also at Saddleback Chapel. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society.

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