Francis Thomas Purcell (born 11 August 1918)[1] is a former Republican politician who was county executive of Nassau County, New York, United States from 1978 to 1987. Purcell served as a Village Trustee and Mayor of the Village of Malverne, a member of the New York State Assembly, Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead and Presiding Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead before becoming County Executive in 1978. After resigning in 1987, Purcell became a political commentator for Cablevision's news channel News 12 Long Island.
In 2004, a section of land formerly called Hempstead Plains was dedicated to Purcell in honor of his service and dedication to Nassau County.[1]
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Purcell was born to Thomas (d. 1942) and Annette (d. 1972) Purcell[2] on 11 August 1918 in Brooklyn, New York.[3] A star athlete at Malverne High School, he was signed to play baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers but never played for them because he joined the army in 1941. He was discharged in 1945 with the rank of captain.[3]
Purcell was elected mayor of Malverne in 1955.[3] In 1964, he was elected to the New York State Assembly, although he was not the Republican Party's choice for the seat.[4] He was elected to the post of town supervisor of the Town of Hempstead three successive times, starting in 1965.[5]
He was elected to the post of County Executive of Nassau County, in 1977. He secured the nomination of the Republican Party over fellow Republican and incumbent county executive Ralph G. Caso, who also opposed Purcell in the general election. He took office in January 1978.[6][7]
Purcell easily won re-election in 1981[8] and 1985.[9] In December 1986, near the end of the first year of his third term, he announced his retirement from politics and his intention to join Cablevision as a political analyst and commentator.[10]
Purcell has 3 children, Patricia, Kim, and Diane. He has 7 grandchildren, Shawn, Brian, Kevin, Cory, Lisa, Matthew and David, and 8 great-grandchildren. He currently resides in West Palm Beach, Florida with his wife Barbara.
Preceded by Anthony Barbiero |
New York State Assembly, Nassau County 1st District 1965 |
Succeeded by District abolished |
Preceded by Ralph G. Caso |
County executive of Nassau County 1978–1987 |
Succeeded by Thomas Gulotta |