Bernard Eugene "Bird" Purcell, 67 of Drayden, Md. died January 28, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital. Born April 29, 1940 in Pearson, MD, he was the son of the late George T. and Lillian Marie Dyer Purcell.

He is survived by his loving wife Diane M. Purcell whom he married on February 11, 2005 in Calvert County, MD. He is survived by his siblings; George Purcell, Shirley Long and Paul Purcell, all of Drayden, MD, nieces; Patricia Purcell Wince and her husband Donnie of Valley Lee, MD, Gail Purcell Wood and her husband Ron of Hollywood, MD and her nephew Thomas Purcell and his wife Mary of Drayden, MD. He is also survived by his great-nieces Meaghan Wince of Valley Lee, MD and Kayla and Hanna Purcell of Drayden, MD as well as his great-nephews Jay Wince of Valley Lee, MD and Dale Wince of Compton, MD.

He was preceded in death by his sister Hope Carey and his brother Phillip Purcell.

A lifelong resident of St. Mary's County, Bird graduated from St. Michael High School. He was employed as a barge pumper for Exxon Mobil for 23 years, retiring in 1993. He was a charter member of The Moose Patuxent Lodge and The Waterman's Association and he also enjoyed gardening, his kitties and watching television.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 31, 2008 from 9:30-11:00 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM with Msgr. Karl Chimiak officiating. Interment will follow in St. George's Catholic Cemetery, Valley Lee, MD. Pallbearers will be Tommy Deagle, T.J. Boothe, Johnny Adams, Joseph Purcell, Jimmy Trossbach and Donald Goddard.