Millennium Magazine_4th Ed

294 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine alumni council of the University of Hartford. Drawing upon an Associate of Arts in general studies from the University of Hartford, Bachelor of Arts in biology from Middlebury College, Master of Library Science from Case Western Reserve University and JD from Western New England University, Mr. Purnell authored numerous texts, contributed articles to professional journals and legal decisions in law journals, and presented at seminars and workshops. In light of his success, he received the Anchor Award from the University of Hartford in 2009. In his spare time, Mr. Purnell enjoys playing the church pipe organ. He has been an organist for a number of churches in the area, and impressively participated in the European concert tour with the School Band & Chorus of America in 1966. Looking toward the future, he will retire and continue in his private practice. He is also working on a CD of music. T he first in his family to delve into law, the Hon. Oliver James Purnell III has been serving as a judge of probate for the Ellington District Probate Court in Rockville, Connecticut, since 1999, and a sole practitioner in Vernon, Connecticut, since 1992. In addition, he works part-time in real estate and probate for Peter Berry Law LLC. Taking over the position of judge from the late Thomas Rady, Mr. Purnell viewed him as a mentor. He attributes his success to his exceptional education, insatiable curiosity and parental influence. Prior to commencing his current role, Mr. Purnell served LexisNexis as a regional information manager, the University of Connecticut as a reference librarian and director of information services, and Boston University as a medical reference librarian. Likewise, he was an associate at such law firms as Howard, Kohn, Sprague & Fitzgerald; DuBeau & Ryan; and Lavitt, Hutchinson, Kaplan & Ford. Outside of his career responsibilities, he was an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford. Civically involved as well, he was appointed to the board of directors of the Connecticut Masonic Foundation in 2019, having been a past scoutmaster for Troop 92 of the Boy Scouts of America and member of the HON. OLIVER JAMES PURNELL III JUDGE OF PROBATE Ellington District Probate Court Vernon Rockville, CT LAW AND LAW ENFORCEMENT