Obituaries of Philip Purrington (1932 – 2022) – Virginia Beach, VA

Philip Parker Purrington, Jr., loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, and loyal friend, passed away peacefully at his Virginia Beach home surrounded by family on February 14, 2022. Phil was born in Enfield, North Carolina on December 16, 1932 to Ruby McGwigan and Philip Parker Purrington. His family moved to Virginia Beach in 1948 and he worked at Tidewater until 1952. He very proudly served his country in the United States Coast Guard for four years, quickly advancing to the rank of Boatswain, First class.

Returning to Virginia Beach in 1956, he began studies at the College of William & Mary in Norfolk (now Old Dominion University) and earned a business degree. During this period he met Connie Musick of Virginia Beach, “the one and only love of my life”. Married in 1959, Connie and Phil moved to Williamsburg where Phil completed his Juris Doctor at the William & Mary Marshall-Wythe School of Law in 1963. After practicing law in Norfolk for 10 years, a love of sailing continued. prompted the family of five to move. in Lancaster County, Virginia. They made a home on the Corrotoman River, where they lived for the next 45 years. He was Commonwealth Solicitor of Lancaster County for 8 years, continuing his private law practice for the remainder of his professional career. The family worshiped at Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock, participating fully for 44 years. Phil served as chalice bearer and member of the vestry. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Jamestown Society.

The family enjoyed their membership at Indian Creek Country Club where the blue waters of the Chesapeake Bay were five minutes away for a quick evening sail. Golf was also an end-of-life pleasure for both of them. Phil and Connie recently moved back to Virginia Beach where their romance began. Phil is survived by Connie, his dear wife of 63 years; his daughter Elizabeth Purrington, of Virginia Beach; son and daughter-in-law, Philip P. Purrington III and Michele, of Virginia Beach; and son and daughter-in-law, David Purrington and Julie, of Needham, MA. He is also survived by four outstanding grandchildren: Darden Purrington and Parker Purrington, IV, of Virginia Beach, Mara Purrington and Alec Purrington, of Needham; with his brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Jane Purrington of Virginia Beach; brother-in-law, Edie Hickman; and brother-in-law, Roland Rikard. He was predeceased by his parents and sisters, Junie Hickman and Georgie Rikard, of Columbia, SC.

A celebration of life will be held on March 12, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Old Donation Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach. Memorial donations in Phil’s name may be made to Sentara Cardiac Research in Norfolk, Va., Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Hope for the Warriors, Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, or a charity of choice. the donor. Condolences may be offered by visiting www.vacremationsociety.com.