Robert Priestly was the first Canadian Priestly in this family. He came to Fort Henry in Kingston, Ontario with the British Army in the 1840's. Ellen Mitchell was an Irish immigrant who came to Kingston because of the potato famine.

Robert and Ellen were married in a chapel at Fort Henry. After he was discharged from the army, the married couple lived in Portsmouth, just outside Kingston.

Robert John Priestly moved to Calgary in 1904, and his wife Mary Jane Priestly and their two children, Robert and Elizabeth Dorothy moved the next year, when Saskatchewan and Alberta joined Canada.

On December 31, 1918 at St. Peter's Church Caversham by the Rev. T. H. Liddaird M.A. (cousin of the bride) Robert John Priestly, Lieut. 31st Canadians of Calgary, Alberta to Isabel May youngest daughter of the late F. H. Adams of Speenhamland Newbury and Mrs. Adams of Welford Woodcote Rd., Caversham.

Purdy – After a lengthy illness at the Saint John regional Hospital, April 16, 1984, Albert E. Purdy of 508 Lancaster Avenue, survived by one nephew, one aunt, several cousins.

Resting at the Castle
Funeral Home (Fallsview), 309 Lancaster Avenue from where the funeral will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Visiting hours 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, 2-4 and 7-9 Wednesday.

Her notice of death appeared in the Telegraph Journal, Jan 22 1930. It reads as follows:

Miss Alice Purdy

The death of Miss Alice Purdy, which occurred Monday evening at the Saint John infirmary after a short illness, will be learned of with regret by a large circle of friends. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Purdy, 251 Lancaster Avenue, West Saint John, and besides her parents, is survived by two brothers, Albert and Francis, at home. The funeral will be held from W.E. Brenan’s undertaking parlors, Prince Street, West Saint John, on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30.

She appeared on the census of 1911 at Lancaster Parish, Saint John County, New Brunswick.

He was a Stationery Engineer. He appeared on the census of 1871 at Brooks Ward, Saint John, Saint John County, New Brunswick. He appeared on the census of 1881 at Albert Ward, Saint John, Saint John County, New Brunswick. He appeared on the census of 1891 at Albert Ward, Saint John, Saint John County, New Brunswick.

His death announcement appeared in the Telegraph Journal, October 8, 1956, page 18.
It reads as follows:

Purdy-- At the Saint John General Hospital, on October 7, 1956, Arthur H. Purdy, son of Mrs. Bertha M. (Hamm) Purdy, and the late George W. Purdy, survived by his wife, one daughter, his mother, three sisters, four brothers, two grandchildren, several nephews and nieces.

Resting at the Ross Funeral Home, 3_9 Lancaster Avenue, Lancaster, from where the funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon with service at 3 o'clock. Interment in Lorneville Cemetery.

He appeared on the census of 1901 at Guy Ward, Saint John, Saint John County, New Brunswick. He appeared on the census of 1911 at Saint John County, New Brunswick.

His death is reported in the Evening Times Globe of 23 June 1980 as follows: The death of Clarence S. (Dudge) Purdy of 228 Guilford Street, husband of Lillian A. (Pyne) Purdy, occurred Friday at the Saint John Regional Hospital (Central), following a lengthy illness. He was 73 years of age. He was born in Saint John, a son of the late George W. and Bertha M. (Hamm) Purdy. He retired in 1972 after having worked for many years for the City of Saint John Works Department. He was a member of Carleton Union Lodge no. 8, F and AM, a member of the Carleton Kirk United Church. Besides his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Shirley Margaret, Mrs. Roy Edward Braydon of Martinon, (wedding - 25 November 1950 at Petersville, Queens County, New Brunswick) one step daughter, Frances, Mrs. Oswald Slattery of Montreal, two brothers, Ronald V. and Eldon C. both of Saint John West, two sisters, Mrs. Muriel Carr, Saint John West and Mrs. Edith Bomke of Milwaukee. Three grandsons, four step grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Interment will take place in Cedar Hill Cemetery Extension. A Masonic service will be held Monday at 7:30 p.m. He appeared on the census of 1911 at Saint John County, New Brunswick.

Eldon C. and Shirley Purdy of 945 Rocky Bluff Terrace are listed in the 1974 City of Saint John Directory. It also states that he was the President and Service Manager of Purdy Sales and Service.

Purdy – By accident at Lower Cambridge, Queen’s County, N.B., Oct. 1, 1966, Francis S Purdy, of 273 Mansfield Street, Lancaster, husband of Betty R. Purdy, son of the late Stephen C and Helen (Straight) Purdy, survived by his wife, two sons, and one brother.
Resting at Calvin’s Funeral Home, Fallsview, 309 Lancaster Avenue, Lancaster, from where the funeral will go to St. Jude’s Church on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Milwaukee Death Is Mourned Here

Many friends will regret the sudden death of G.Kenneth Purdy, who has died at his residence, 5??3 West Centre Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Mr. Purdy was born in West Saint John, a son of Mrs. George W. Purdy, ??4 Rodney Street West and the late Mr. Purdy.
He is survived by his wife Bertha, one son, Donald, U.S. navy radio technician 3rd class; three sisters, Mrs. Harry Gerke, Milwaukee, and Mrs. William C. Stopp and Mrs. Earle A. Carr of West Saint John; also five brothers, Arthur H., James D., Clarence S., Ronald V., and Eldon C. of Saint John.

Interment in Milwaukee.

George W Purdy, West Side, passes

The death of George William Purdy, 174 Rodney Street, West Saint John, occurred at his residence early yesterday morning after a short illness. He had been in failing health for some time. Previous to his retirement he had been a stationery engineer for many years. He was born in West Saint John, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Stephen L. Purdy.
Besides his wife, he is survived by six sons, Arthur H., James D., Clarence S., Lt. Ronald V., of the R.C.A., Eldon C., all of Saint John, and G. Kenneth, Milwaukee, Wis.; three daughters, Mrs. William C. Stopp and Mrs. Earl Carr, West Saint John, and Mrs. Harry Gerke, Milwaukee, and one brother, Stephen C. Purdy, West Saint John.

Purdy--- Unexpectedly at his residence, 1024 Manawagonish Road, April 28, 1968, James D. Purdy Sr., husband of Mrs. Hilda E (Gamble) Purdy, survived by his wife, two sons, three brothers, three sisters, three grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

Resting at the Calvin Funeral Home, (Fallsview) 309 Lancaster Avenue West until Wednesday morning at 10 a.m., when the body will be taken to the Church of Good Shepherd, Manawagonish Road, for service at 2 p.m. Interment in Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery.

His obituary appeared in the Friday, 21 May 2004 edition of the Telegraph Journal as follows: PURDY, JAMES JR. - Passed away peacefully at Rocmaura Nursing Home on Wednesday 19 May 2004. He was born in Saint John, son of the late James D. and Hilda (Gamble) Purdy. Beloved husband of Jean (O'Keefe) Purdy and loving father to son Keith (Lynn) Purdy of Saint John, NB; and daughters Lori Hill (Dale) of BC., and Stacey (John) Churchill of Saint John, NB. He is also survived by his seven granddaughters, Chrisie (Jim) Saunders, Jennifer, Lacey, Candace, Alisha, Laura and Natalie; and three great grandchildren, Josh, Bailey and Dustin. His uncle Eldon Purdy and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his brother Kenneth Purdy. Jim worked in the family business, Purdy Sales and Service, for many years. He was also employed with the City of Saint John and Forterm, at the Port of Saint John. He was a member of Union Local # 273 I.L.A. He was retired from the Salvage Corp and the Fire Police, a member of the Church of Good Shepard in Lancaster, as well as, a life member of the Fairvale Oldtimers Pool Association. He was a devoted Toronto Maple Leafs fan and coached in the Lancaster Minor Hockey Association for many years. His love of life and family meant everything to him and Jim's personality, smile, laughter and friendship touched everyone around him. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Arrangements entrusted to Castle "Fallsview" Funeral Home, 309 Lancaster Ave., (634-1701) with visiting on Friday May 21, from 7-9 pm. A Memorial Service will be held for family and friends on Saturday May 22 at 11 am in Fallsview Chapel with reception to follow in the Fallsview Family Reception Center. Donations in Jim's memory may be made to Garden Court at Rocmaura Nursing Home, Heart and Stroke Foundation or Canadian Diabetes Association.