VIRGINIA BEACH—Philip Parker Purrington Jr., loving husband, brother, father, grandfather and loyal friend, died peacefully in his Virginia Beach home surrounded by his family on February 14, 2022.
Phil was born in Enfield, N.C., on December 16, 1932, to Ruby McGwigan and Philip Parker Purrington. His family moved to Virginia Beach in 1948 and he worked in Tidewater until 1952.
He very proudly served his country in the United States Coast Guard for four years, rapidly advancing to the rank of Boatswain’s Mate, 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 bachelor’s of business administration. During that 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 prompted the family of five to move to Lancaster County. They made a home on the Corrotoman River, where they lived for the next 45 years. He served as Commonwealth’s Attorney of Lancaster County for eight years, continuing in private law practice for the rest of his professional career.
The family worshiped at Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock, participating fully for 44 years. Phil served as a chalice bearer and a member of the vestry. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and The Jamestown Society.
The family enjoyed membership at Indian Creek Country Club where the blue waters of the Chesapeake Bay were five minutes away for a quick evening sail. Golf also was a later-in-life pleasure for them both. Phil and Connie recently returned to Virginia Beach where their love story began.
Phil is survived by Connie, his wife of 63 years; 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 Mass. He also is survived by four exceptional grandchildren, Darden Purrington and Parker Purrington IV of Virginia Beach, Mara Purrington and Alec Purrington, of Needham, together with his brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Jane Purrington of Virginia Beach, and Eddie Hickman.
He was predeceased by his parents and sisters, Junie Hickman and Georgie Rikard of Columbia S.C.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. March 12 at Old Donation Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach. Memorial donations in Phil’s name may be made to Sentara Cardiac Research in Norfolk, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Hope for The Warriors, Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad-Virginia Beach, or a charity of donor’s choice.
