Peter Leavitt Purdy was born October 2, 1929, and passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025, after a short illness.

Peter was adopted and raised by Margaret Alberta Purdy (nee Carruthers) and Charles E Purdy. He lived his whole life in Poughkeepsie, NY. He graduated from Arlington High School, LaGrange, NY. He also attended college receiving a bachelor’s degree in history and business administration.

His wife, Marian Purdy (nee Ellis) passed at age 50 from ovarian cancer in 1983. They did not have children, and he never remarried.

Peter was a voracious reader. There were literally thousands of books in his home. He also loved to travel the world with Aruba being one of his favorite destinations. He was a lifelong learner, with a degree in History and Business Administration. After college, he served in the US Navy as a Seaman from 1956 – 1958, with his last station on the USS Great Sitkin (AE-17).

He also travelled to Alaska in 1999 when his second cousin, Christopher White was married.

Peter was a cartographer, mapmaker by trade. His company, City Street Directory, did cartography throughout the Hudson Valley, and municipalities would use his maps as the basis for their own.

Peter enjoyed playing chess, tennis and golf, and watching baseball. He was also an avid photographer, especially of architecture.

His wonderful neighbors, and his friend and longtime employee, Linda Phelan made it possible for Peter to remain in his own home past his 94th birthday.

At 94 he moved to an assisted living facility in Poughkeepsie which is where he resided until the time of his death.

One must remember that there are things in life worse than death, and he had a very full life, full of adventure.

In addition to his wife Marion, Peter was preceded in death by his sister Muriel C. Purdy (1953), mother M. Alberta Purdy (1958, father Charles E. Purdy (1942)

Peter is survived by Christopher and Debbie White, Juneau Alaska. He outlived all his other relatives.