Dunkirk Town Supervisor Richard Purol.

Dunkirk Town Supervisor Richard “Dick” Purol died Monday night at the age of 69. A moment of silence was held in his honor at the regular Town of Dunkirk Council meeting on Tuesday night.

“As you all know, our leader, former Supervisor Richard Purol passed on (Monday). It’s a tough time for all of us,” said Deputy Supervisor Juan Pagan, who led the meeting.

Purol was elected as Town Supervisor in November 2005 and held the role from that point on until his passing. He began his service to the Town of Dunkirk in 1980 as a member of the Planning Board. He served as the Planning Board Chairman from 1988-2000 and as a Zoning Board Member from 1985-2000. Purol was appointed as a Town Councilman in 2000.

After four years on the Town Board, Purol was appointed Deputy Supervisor in January of 2004, before his election to serve as Town Supervisor in November of 2005.

“I want to recognize the incredible contributions Dick Purol has delivered to this town over the last 40 years,” said Town Councilman Dr. Jay Bishop. “As a councilman, I want to tell everyone how much I appreciated my time with Dick – how fortunate I felt to have a supervisor where every valve, every pipe, every stone was in it for the Town of Dunkirk. He was an incredible asset. He’s really going to be missed.”

During his tenure as Town Supervisor, Purol served as Public Works Director and East Lake Road Sewer District Director. He was appointed to both roles in 2015.

Purol was also Co-Chairman of Chadwick Bay Regional Development and a member of the North County Water District and the Joint Operations Group.

A member of the East Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Company since 1972, Purol served as Fire Chief from 1983-1984, and also served as the company’s financial secretary.

“He loved the community. He loved the town. Whether it was through the fire department or what he could do in the council, he never said no,” said Town Councilwoman Priscilla Penfold. “No wasn’t in his vocabulary.”

Purol was a proud veteran of the United States Army. He served from 1971-1975. Purol was also active in the First United Methodist Church, where he served as Head Trustee.

“I often say that we all do a little bit of God’s work – and he, by far, had done a lot,” Pagan said.