Donald Purdy, 85, lawyer and bank president

Donald Alexander Purdy, 85, of Wallingford, a lawyer and retired bank president, died of cancer Nov. 23 at Harlee Manor in Springfield, Delaware County.

Mr. Purdy grew up in Oskaloosa, Iowa. His father, Alexander Purdy, was a Quaker theologian. As a member of a pacifist group, Mr. Purdy could have become a conscientious objector during World War II, as his brother, Thomas, did. Instead he enlisted in the Navy and participated the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. He remained in the Naval Reserve after the war and was called back to active duty during the Korean War.

Mr. Purdy graduated from Moses Brown Preparatory School in Providence, R.I. He earned a bachelor's degree from Haverford College and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

He was an assistant attorney general in Idaho and then for more than 10 years was a member of the law firm of Jones, Purdy & Jones in Chester before becoming an executive at First Keystone Federal Savings Bank in Media in the 1960s. After retiring as president in 1993, Mr. Purdy was bank chairman for three years and remained on the board until his death.

He was a member of the Rotary Club of Chester, the Wallingford Historical Society, and the Springhaven Country Club in Wallingford.

Mr. Purdy enjoyed family vacations in the Poconos and at the Jersey Shore. He had a lifelong love of reading, tennis, skiing and sailing, and once built a small, seaworthy sailboat, his son David said.

In addition to his son, Mr. Purdy is survived by his wife of 26 years, Cordelia Purdy; another son, Donald Jr. "Andy"; stepsons Thomas and Terry Crain; stepdaughter Cynthia Crain; a sister; and four grandchildren. His wife of 34 years, Jane Purdy, died in 1981. A son, Stephen, died in 1993.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at Middletown Friends Meeting, 435 N. Middletown Rd., Lima, Pa. 19037. Donations may be made to Middletown Friends Meeting, where Mr. Purdy was an overseer and lifelong member.