January 6, 2010
Dear Members of the Purnell Community,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am very sorry to pass along the sad news that Purnell's Founder, Lyttleton Bowen Purnell Gould, Jr., passed away peacefully on December 30, 2009 in Essex, CT.
The son of L. B. P. and Isabel Howell Gould, Mr. Gould was born in New York City on September 10, 1919. He graduated from Hotchkiss School in 1939 and Yale University in 1943 where he was a member of DKE and Elihu. From 1941-45, he first served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and skipper of a subchaser, then executive officer of a destroyer escort in the Pacific. On June 21, 1947 he married Mary "Sis" Krech Jackson Gould.
A consummate lifelong educator, from 1945-58, Mr. Gould first taught general science, American history and geography, also coaching football and baseball at Landon School in Bethesda, MD, and then culminated as Head of the Middle School. During this time in l955 he was also a founding member of the St. Francis Episcopal Church in Potomac, MD. In 1958, Mr. Gould became the Headmaster of Far Hills Country Day School, Far Hills, NJ, resigning in 1963 to become Founder and first Headmaster (1963-73) of Purnell School. Mr. Gould remained an active member of the Board of Trustees throughout his life.
Mr. Gould was beloved by all of his Purnell alumnae, friends, and families. He had a profound impact on so many people's lives through his vision for and devotion to each student and will be missed without measure. I know we will all take time to reflect on how important he was to each of us.
A bronze plaque placed in 1973 on the dormitory, Gould House, pays tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Gould and their resounding passion for this School and all of the students who have passed through reading, "So that their names will remain in daily use, reminding us of their love and devotion, this house is dedicated." How fortunate all of us who have crossed this campus are for that dream that began in the summer of 1962.
Our most heartfelt sympathies are with his children and his extensive family in this time of sadness. While I know this message will reach friends, colleagues and admirers of Mr. Gould all around the world, may the bonds of our community provide support for one another and bring peace to his family and friends.
The family has invited all members of the Purnell family to join with them in mourning his passing and celebrating his life's accomplishments at a Memorial Service on April 24th at 1 pm at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center, 36 Town Woods Road in Old Lyme, CT. It was Mr. Gould's wishes that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Purnell School.
Purnell School will also welcome all members of the Purnell family and friends to join us on the Purnell campus on May 14th at 2 pm for a service in remembrance of Mr. Gould as teacher, mentor, friend. Additional information on both services is forthcoming.
We are all so fortunate to have learned from Mr. Gould's guidance. I hope that we might find solace in each other and our community at this time.
With deepest sympathy,
Ayanna Hill-Gill
Head of School
If you would like to submit photos and tributes, you may send via email to legacy@purnell.org or mail to Purnell School, 51 Pottersville Rd,Box 500Pottersville, NJ 07979, Attn: Donna Martin. Please submit it no later than FEBRUARY 28. Photos can not be returned, so please make a copy or send digitally. Up to three photos may be sent. Please include a description and date for each. We ask that tributes be kept to 200 words or less. All reflections and photos will be printed in the Post by class and include sender's name.
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