Irwin Purtell

Irwin "Win" Purtell age 78, resident of West Bend, WI and Thomasville, GA, passed away on May 14, 2015. Win was an original investor, co-founder and 34 year board member of Quad/Graphics, Inc. He was known for his business acumen, humor, and love of nature. Win was a board member of Froedtert Hospice, RiverEdge Nature Center, a second generation member of Dairymen's Country Club in Boulder Junction, WI, and a significant contributor to Duck's Unlimited. Earlier in life, Win spent a great deal of time Sailing on the family boat, "Vagabond", with his dad, brother and many friends at the Milwaukee Yacht Club. He was a 1954 graduate of Milwaukee Country Day School and a highly accomplished multi-sport athlete, competing in Football, Track and Field and Ice Hockey. After Country Day, Win attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He went on to a successful career as a stockbroker with Dean Witter - Reynolds, before landing at the M&I Bank. Win retired from the M&I Bank in 1992 to spend more time with family and the outdoors. In retirement, Win and his wife Susie trained national field trial champion Labrador dogs. Their love of field trials brought them to Thomasville, GA where they would spend much of the winter training their dogs. Win was happiest when surrounded by his family and friends. Win is survived by his wife of 55 years Susie, his brother Edward "Ted" Purtell (Harriet "Hattie"), his children; Anthony "Tony" Purtell (Suphawadee), Laura Leech (Gordon), Charles Purtell (Tamara), and Elisabeth Purtell-Boyce (Darren). He was also survived by 10 grandchildren; Sarawut, Sukanya Purtell, Lilly, Gordy, Tyler Leech, Lila, Alden, Elsa Purtell, Darren and Elyse Boyce who lovingly called him "Poppy", and one great grandchild; Cameron Purtell Tran. Also survived by other relatives and many friends. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday May 26, 2015 at St. Paul's Church, 914 E Knapp St, Milwaukee, WI 53202. The family will greet relatives and friends on Tuesday at the church from 1:00-2:45 PM and at a reception to be held after the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be forwarded to RiverEdge Nature Center, PO Box 26, Newburg, WI 53060 or the American Heart Association of Milwaukee, 1555 N. River Center Dr. Suite 212, Milwaukee, WI 53212.