Emmanuel H. Purdo

Emmanuel Haron Purdo was born in April 1935 in the northern Iraqi village of Elkish, near the border with Turkey. His parents Haron and Miryam Purdo were a Christian family of Hebrew heritage living in an Arabic country. Life was never easy. During World War II his father was presented with the opportunity of enlisting in the British RAF on the base at Habbaniya, Iraq. This, in many ways, sheltered the family from more persecution and easily saved their lives.

When the war ended, Emmanuel found employment, at a still quite young age, with the BP oil company, working as a medical assistant trainee in the clinic for the employees. Determined to leave Iraq and come to America, he saved his money for several years to finally immigrate to America on a student visa to become a doctor. After two semesters at Campbell College in Buies Creek, North Carolina, he continued his studies in Chicago while working at the hospital there. There are many stories and adventures along the way to share in this space; however, due to the expense of achieving that goal, plus still sending money back to his parents in Iraq to help the family survive, his ambitions were redirected.

He married Mary Larabee and the couple became the parents of four children, Scott, Susan, Juliette and Shemara. To support his own family “Manny” found employment in the restaurant/hotel business working for the Fred Harvey Corporation, being promoted through the ranks to finally become the food and beverage director for hotels and then the large international airport in Albuquerque, New Mexico. These positions gave him exposure to many famous people who passed through and stayed at the hotels. He once served a dinner to then President John F. Kennedy. On another occasion at the airport, he and his staff serviced Air Force One with drinks and food while he visited in Albuquerque.

While in the food business, Manny was able to bring his remaining family, still in Iraq, to the safety of America. He also sponsored several other individuals and their families, seeking safety and freedom from the Iraqi regime. Before retiring from the food business, Manny ran a 24-hour restaurant at a truck plaza and then owned two breakfast/lunch cafes.

He now leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Diane (Thomas) Purdo. He is also survived by his four previously mentioned children and their spouses. Other survivors include his youngest brother George in Modesto, California, along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family members throughout the country. He was preceded in death by his parents Haron and Miryam (Yako) Purdo and bothers Aprim and Yonan, also of Modesto.

Emmanuel, (known affectionately as “Amo” by close family members), and just “Manny” by countless others, died on July 29, 2025 after a full life of 90 years. Our lives, individually and collectively, have been enriched in many ways by having known and loved him. He was laid to rest in a very rural cemetery in Stony Creek, New York in the beautiful Adirondack mountains that he came to love and call home. May he rest in peace, until the resurrection by our Lord and King, Jesus Christ.

Joan Wright

It is with great sadness of heart, and many tears, but not without hope, that I write this obituary for my dear wife Joan, whose death was totally unexpected. On June 22, 2025 she tripped and fell in our kitchen and hit her head on the corner of the kitchen cupboard. She never recovered and, surrounded by her loving family, died on July 12.

Joan was born in Townsville, Queensland April 15, 1935, but grew up most of her early and teenage years in Gympie, Queensland. I grew up on a nearby dairy farm and we both attended the Gympie Surface Hill Methodist Church where we met and enjoyed the fellowship of other young people.

We were married on Dec. 29, 1956 in that church. I was 22 and Joan was 21. We did not know then the journey that life would take us during the 68 years we were together.

I am absolutely convinced God brought us together and, in due time, He planned to call us into a knowledge and understanding of the truth and His wonderful purpose and plan for us and all mankind. That calling came in 1963 and I was baptized that year and Joan a year later.

Joan bore our four children (three girls and a boy) with such grace and dignity. Joan fed and clothed our children and, even when finances were very tight, I recall our children were always well dressed. She was a meticulous seamstress, making many of the children’s clothes herself, or she purchased them at an opportunity shop and made them look like they had come from one of the best clothing stores. As the children grew up and were married, I can recall the long hours she devoted to making many beautiful bridesmaid dresses for our three girls, and clothing for herself.

Our family of six grew to 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. The 14th great-grandchild was born only a week before the funeral service. Joan had been looking forward to meeting and holding this new little one in her arms, but it was not to be.

It was Joan who brought music into the home. I don’t recall being without it. God blessed her with a fine soprano voice, but she put developing that God-given talent on hold while raising the children and looking after the home. After the children married and the nest was empty, she began taking professional singing lessons and competed successfully in many an eisteddfod. She worked hard with voice training and this enhanced the special music she gave at Church. She would explain to me how to breathe properly when singing—a skill which also helped me when giving sermons.

Joan joined a small group who visited and gave voluntary entertainment at nursing homes around the Gold Coast. She sang many of the old-time songs and the elderly residents would sing along with her or tap with their feet with obvious enjoyment. After the entertainment was over, Joan would go and chat with them and see how they were going. It was a contribution Joan loved to give just to enhance and bring some joy to the lives of many who were now restricted by age and associated frailties or illnesses.

God has blessed us both with many opportunities of service in the Church, first in Worldwide and then The United Church of God. I worked in the Church offices for many years, and I am so grateful to have had Joan with me as her support was invaluable.

Because Joan was with me wherever I went I felt complete and better able to serve the brethren. She had a warm and ready smile, and I believe the members felt at ease in her presence, especially the ladies and the children. After a church service I learned so much more from her about our wonderful brethren because of the interest and time she spent chatting with them.

I can say unequivocally that Joan was an exceptional lady with many wonderful qualities. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I love you Joan, and always will.

Reg (Joan’s husband) and family