<div><strong>Bill LaPurka started in the hardware business in 1972 down by what used to be Elegant Carpet (It is now Personal Fitness). In 1980 he moved to 567 Rte 25A and became an Ace Hardware where he would remain until the store closed on May 31, 2020 after Ace Hardware decided they didn't want him as a part of their cooporation any longer, mostly because they felt the store was too small. It was pure coincidence that we closed at the beginning of covid so even trying to liquidate proved difficult since no one was leaving the house.</strong>
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<div><strong>Bill's wife Ellen has not been well for many many years, she has suffered through many illnesses: breast and colon cancer, lupus, as well as dialysis for the last seven years due to the many meds she she has been on that degraded her kidneys. I wish I had half the strength this wonderful woman had! She was a fighter until her last day which was fittingly... St. Patrick's Day! In addition to being an avid antiquer, Ellen was so very proud of her Irish heritage.</strong>
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<div><strong>Sadly life is not without it's obstacles and to help ease the financial burden of funeral expenses, I have organized this GoFundMe with the family’s blessing. If you are able, please consider donating. Any amount, big or small, will make a difference. If you’re unable to give, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. They need all the love and strength we can send their way.</strong>
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<div><strong>Here is the link to the obituary:</strong>
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<div><a href="https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2025/03/125322/ellen-m-lapurka/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><a href="https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2025/03/125322/ellen-m-lapurka/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2025/03/125322/ellen-m-lapurka/</a></strong></a>
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<div><strong>Please share this if you will, thank you! &lt;3</strong>
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Stacey Pedersen

John Aloisio

Mary Ann Walters

Anonymous

Marybeth Berkowitz

JIM PANZER

Regina Larsen

Joann Morrell

Maureen Colon

Joe Egenberger

Carolyn Hamilton

William and Gail Hamilton

Kathy Foulk

Funeral Expenses for Bill's wife Ellen

Funeral Expenses for Bill's wife Ellen

Still $4,030 to go. Help us build momentum.