Puroll, Edmund

Loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend

I don’t think our loved ones make our lives, but loving them does.

Death cannot take that away. It stays with us forever.

As we mourn the passing of our father, we remain firmly rooted in our faith. We stand extremely grateful for the honor to call this strong, God-fearing, gentleman, our Father. He was our rock, our foundation. He will be greatly missed, as we continue on our earthly adventure without him. His love for his family is eternal, as our love for him.

Edmund George Puroll, 85, from Elmira, passed away on February 22, 2018, in Zephyrhills, FL. He was born April 20, 1932. He was the son of Frank and Antoinette Puroll. He married Leanor Elizabeth Cole on November 19, 1955, and fathered 13 children. He was a lifelong member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, and worked for Standard Products for 39 years. He was a hard-working farmer his entire life, and a great huntsman. He was a baseball player, Little League coach, and a huge Detroit Tigers Fan. He loved all sports, and loved to watch his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren play them. He was an amazing polka dancer, and was his wife and daughter’s favorite partner.

We are in awe, and filled with pride to speak of the selflessness and courage, of this honorable man. We can’t even imagine all of the sacrifices he made, or that had to be made, to raise such a large family. He instilled in us the power to be strong alone, but even stronger together through the bonds of love. He was our Father, our friend, and a most wonderful husband to our mother. He loved her dearly and proved that over and over through the many years spent together as husband and wife.

Survived by wife, Leanor Elizabeth Puroll; children Mark (Karen), Debra, Diane (Bud) Jaroniewski, John (Kellie), David (Pamela), Andrew (Gina), Jeffrey (Melinda), Kathy, Kerry (Timothy) Lear, Becky (Michael) O’Neil, Scott (Kristin); sister Cecelia Zaborowski; sister-in-law Margaret Puroll; 31 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and hundreds of nieces and nephews.

Proceeded in death by his father & mother, Frank & Antoinette; brothers Felix, Alex, Lucian, Stanley, Walter, Joseph, and John Puroll; sisters Helen Kwapis and Mary Puroll; children Francis (Frank) and Brenda Puroll; and grandchildren Paige and Connor Puroll.

We would like to thank Nelson’s Funeral Home, for taking the utmost special care of our Father; for getting him home from Florida. All your time, effort and special attention at this sad time, was greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten.