Born on December 22,1941, to Edgbert Daniel & Victorine Cummings Daniel, in a little village called Doch Four in Guyana, South America, PURCELL RUNELL DANIEL grew up in the neighboring village of Ann's Grove as the second of five children, of which two preceded him in death.

He attended Ann's Grove Methodist School. Upon completing his schooling, he left home on September 28, 1961 for the interior diamond and goldfield. He went back home on January 31,1965. He left again for Linden, also known as MacKenzie, on Sunday, June 25,1965. There he landed a job as a land surveyor at the bauxite company. He subsequently went to work in the aluminum plant at the power station; there he obtained a diploma in steam power engineering.

He met and married the beautiful Merlene Isaiah in 1972, and from that union they had one child, Ruchell (Okelo). Looking for greener pastures, he migrated to the United States-Brooklyn, to be exact-on June 30,1974.

Well, we all know that pastures are also filled with manure! But Purcell was an ardent worker and a quick learn­er. He adeptly learned to navigate the challenges of the “Big Apple.” He had a few factory jobs, including Palmers Plastic, Welch Plastic in Canarsie, and Armor Glass at the Navy Yard. Purcell had bigger dreams, so he applied at Con Edison for a job for which he was well qualified, coming from Guyana as a “Power Plant Operator”; but when the gates were open, he got stuck at the green light.

Faith would have it that he got another job at the infamous Herald Square Hotel in Manhattan. There he took up residence as a maintenance specialist by day and an elevator operator three nights per week.

He lived on Grafton Street... soon thereafter he moved to 145 Lincoln Road, in the same buildjog as his sister Sally and brother-in-law. They often invited him to church and he attended a couple times.

He loved partying, fine clothes, and the girls - but God had other plans. He spoke of how God called him one night as he was coming in from a party. This truly began the conversation of “The Hallelujah Book." Purcell was baptized on October 22,1977 at Bethel Church of the Nazarene on Classon Avenue in Brooklyn; in that same year, he lost his first wife.

Purcell became a member of the notable Church Of God Seventh Day, located at 2603 Church Avenue, in Brooklyn. There he was groomed as a Deacon, Elder and Assistant Pastor. In 1980, there came a proposal and on June 21, 1981, he wed his second wife, Joan. From that union came four beautiful children: Levi (deceased), Apphia, Tryphena, and Damaris. This union, referred to most times as “The Daniels,” lasted 33 years.

Purcell went on to pastor a number of churches. He also visited many churches including several Adventist ones. Purcell was a force to reckon with: he was trained and a self-taught giant when it comes to the Bible, politics, and world affairs. He had many accomplishments, being the voice and union leader for his job. He was also sec­retary for the missionary work In Guyana, and he was very committed in working alongside Sis. Gibson with the mission work in Haiti.

Purcell held many accolades for his services and dedication: a license to perform weddings, a certificate in Basic Auto Service, and received his Master's degree in theology in 2001. He was also highly recognized for his 11 years of voluntary services at Queens Borough Correctional Facility.

Purcell was also deeply committed to social justice and community advocacy. He was an active member of the National Action Network (NAN) for many years, and was a passionate advocate for equality and civil rights. He frequently traveled across the country to participate in marches, rallies, and other NAN demonstrations, lending his voice and presence to causes that sought to promote justice, fairness, and positive change in the community.

Purcell was a fearless, no-nonsense guy with a brilliant mind. He loved challenges: give him a scripture verse and he would tell you where it's taken from; do the reverse - same result. You could call him “The Walking Bible.” Whenever you would sit with him, he would walk you through his own spiritual universe. Name any country around the world and he could tell you at least one of their leaders or something of importance about that country.

He had many favorite pastimes but reading his bible was paramount - having read it cover to cover many times, alongside his English books, the dictionary, Jewish books, books on the African slave trade, and the Quran.

Purcell is known for his abrasive nature, often butting heads with various pastors on the do’s and don’ts of reli­gions and interpretation of scriptures.

He was a lot of fun, too. He loved telling stories to his children, grandchildren and family members. He particu­larly enjoyed their visits to Coney Island, 42nd & 34th Streets, and other known tourist areas around Manhattan and

Harlem. Taking them on the Staten Island Ferry brought out the youth in him.

He suffered a stroke in 2012, but God’s grace and mercy kept him. He recovered but it forced him into retirement from his job of 38 years. With time on his hands, he became well known for being the voice of the subway, preaching about the return of Jesus Christ. His favorite stomping grounds were 34th & 42nd Streets, and Franklin & Utica stations. Purcell's mouth was his sword: he could chew you up with scriptures as if he was eating his favorite food, swallowed with a smirk and a side look, ending with “I am ready for dessert!"

If you’re weak in heart, you could be startled by his sudden outburst catch phrase "Hallelujah" or "Jesus is coming again, people, you must be born again!" To the Jews he would shout out "Yeshua Hamashiach!" (Jesus The Messiah), and to the Spanish it was “Jesus Salva!" (Jesus Saves).

After evangelizing he would retreat to the shop of his friend Kebe, a Senegalese tailor and Muslim on Fulton Street. There he spent countless hours debating scriptures. Afterwards they would share a meal, eating together. They loved him and spoke of his kindness and generosity, referring to him as "Pastor.”

“Danny" was known throughout the Caribbean, South America, parts of Africa and right here in New York for his monetary and other contributions to help families and the church communities.

There were places he wanted to visit and got the opportunity to do so: Ghana, Togo, Benin, Jamaica, and Jerusalem. Last year, he planned a reunion trip with most of his children, grands and great grands to his birth home, Guyana.

Earlier this year, his lymphatic system was compromised. While driving in April, he was hit from behind, causing him to suffer a mild heart attack and hospitalization, further plummeting his health. He began to experience shortness of breath and retention of fluid in his lungs for which he had been hospitalized and treated several times.

On August 12,2026, he complained of tiredness in the morning. His sister called, but he told them he would call back. He slept for a few hours and later got up and drank some porridge. As the day roared on, he seemed a little stronger - at least his mouth was! His children and grandchildren came to visit and cheer him up; he was always happy to see them, even sparring with Try. She taunted him, saying “Let me see if you still got it!" Later that evening, they all kissed and hugged him good night. Phia and Dee helped him to bed.

Nothing could have prepared us for what happened next. Early the next day, Phia received a call from his cousin that he was in distress, but he didn't want to go to the hospital. She rushed over to check on him; he said he was fine, and that he just wanted to sleep. He slept for a few hours. He woke up coughing and aspirating. She started CPR and called 911. He was transported to the hospital, where he transitioned later that afternoon.

Purcell lived his life the way he chose and he chose the life he lived. Three score and 10, with 14 years and 8 months of added strength. In his words, he was tired and wasn’t afraid of death. He wanted to be remembered as the one who gave it all away, one who spoke his truth decisively, whether you agreed, believed, or not. I guess we could also call him “The Ali of Preaching."

Purcell loved his football (soccer) and boxing. He loved order and neat­ness, and he was a stickler for time management. He was a looker, a fine dresser, one who loved Africa and embraced some of its culture as reflected in his home and most of his attire.

Now that we have listened to a brief summary of “The Hallelujah Book,” I implore us all to go out and write your own stories.

Keeping his memories alive are: his eldest brother, Roosevelt (“Cummings”) and youngest sister, Lynette Munroe of Guyana, SA; children: Jacqueline (“Sherry”), Eunice, Mark, Orin, Ruchell (“Okelo”),

Apphia (“Phia”), Tryphena (“Try”), and Damaris (“Dee”); 16 grand­children and 16 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws; a host of church families, friends, and his Muslim brothers.

Take your rest, Bob, Purcell, Danny, Grandpa, and Pastor. It’s a minute to midnight... another great soldier has fallen.