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Community loses diving legend
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NEWS-TIMES
BY EREN TATARAGASI
MOREHEAD CITY — A city native and a pioneer of diving in North Carolina, George Purifoy, 63, died Sunday doing what he loved most.
Mr. Purifoy had a heart attack Sunday evening while out on his boat based at his longtime business, the Olympus Dive Shop on the city’s waterfront.
“I was in absolute shock,” said close friend and county tourism official Carol Lohr, who has known Mr. Purifoy since they met 22 years ago at the first N.C. Seafood Festival, which is based on the waterfront. “He was just a fine person.”
“He did more for diving in North Carolina than anyone I know,” she said.
Mr. Purifoy took his first dive in 1961 and nearly 7,000 dives later he managed to pass his love and passion on to his son Robert and countless numbers of divers.
He is credited for the discovery and identification of numerous shipwrecks off the coast of the southern Outer Banks, most notably the WWII submarine the U-352 and the USS Schurz.
“He was passionate about diving and about discovering new wreck sites,” Mrs. Lohr said. “He met the U-352 survivors and paid for their trip to come here and pay their respects to their fallen comrades.
“He loved North Carolina diving and it was obvious in everything he did,” she continued. “He was a role model for a lot of people.”
Mrs. Lohr said Mr. Purifoy’s son Robert is equally as passionate about diving.
“I think it instilled in Robert his love for the sea. It’s obvious the tradition will continue,” she said.
Mr. Purifoy was well-known in his community because Mrs. Lohr said he wanted to see the Morehead City waterfront develop into a showcase, and he paid attention to civic opportunities.
She said he even offered free trips to writers just to get them offshore.
Mrs. Lohr said Mr. Purifoy wanted to see Morehead City become a destination, and he always kept his dive shop professional.
“He has done so much for the dive community. I just hope he’ll be remembered for his passion and love of dives from the historic aspect,” Mrs. Lohr said. “He knew when he found a wreck what that ship meant to the crew and what it took to preserve and restore it for others to enjoy.
“He will be missed,” she said.
Rick Allen and his wife Cindy Burnham have also known Mr. Purifoy for about 25 years and said in the diving world he is a legend.
“If you’re a wreck diver on the East Coast, you know who he is,” Mr. Allen said. “He was an interesting, unique and funny guy. As a professional he was wonderful, too, because he had safe boats and took us to all of these places.”
Mr. Allen met Mr. Purifoy in 1983 when he went on his first dive.
Mr. Allen and Mrs. Burnham live in Fayetteville and own a home in Morehead City. They come to the coast on the weekends to go dive.
“He will surely be missed because he was a solid fixture,” Mr. Allen said.
Mr. Purifoy, before diving full time was a diesel mechanic by trade and owned a repair shop for nearly 25 years.
In 1975, the introduction of Loran C, the predecessor to GPS, revolutionized the state’s diving industry by enabling boat captains to relocate wreck sites.
Mr. Purifoy began running a small dive business in 1976 with a compressor, rentals,\ and weekend charters aboard the 47-foot, twin-engined Atlantis II.
The business expanded in the late 1970s with the purchase of Olympus I, a 57-foot, wooden-hulled head boat and the addition of Olympus Gym, Morehead City's first fitness center.
The current dive shop was built in 1982 and the 65-foot aluminum-hulled Olympus used today was purchased in 1986.
Mr. Purifoy went into diving full time in 1990.
Brooks Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Mr. Purifoy had a heart attack Sunday evening while out on his boat based at his longtime business, the Olympus Dive Shop on the city’s waterfront.
“I was in absolute shock,” said close friend and county tourism official Carol Lohr, who has known Mr. Purifoy since they met 22 years ago at the first N.C. Seafood Festival, which is based on the waterfront. “He was just a fine person.”
“He did more for diving in North Carolina than anyone I know,” she said.
Mr. Purifoy took his first dive in 1961 and nearly 7,000 dives later he managed to pass his love and passion on to his son Robert and countless numbers of divers.
He is credited for the discovery and identification of numerous shipwrecks off the coast of the southern Outer Banks, most notably the WWII submarine the U-352 and the USS Schurz.
“He was passionate about diving and about discovering new wreck sites,” Mrs. Lohr said. “He met the U-352 survivors and paid for their trip to come here and pay their respects to their fallen comrades.
“He loved North Carolina diving and it was obvious in everything he did,” she continued. “He was a role model for a lot of people.”
Mrs. Lohr said Mr. Purifoy’s son Robert is equally as passionate about diving.
“I think it instilled in Robert his love for the sea. It’s obvious the tradition will continue,” she said.
Mr. Purifoy was well-known in his community because Mrs. Lohr said he wanted to see the Morehead City waterfront develop into a showcase, and he paid attention to civic opportunities.
She said he even offered free trips to writers just to get them offshore.
Mrs. Lohr said Mr. Purifoy wanted to see Morehead City become a destination, and he always kept his dive shop professional.
“He has done so much for the dive community. I just hope he’ll be remembered for his passion and love of dives from the historic aspect,” Mrs. Lohr said. “He knew when he found a wreck what that ship meant to the crew and what it took to preserve and restore it for others to enjoy.
“He will be missed,” she said.
Rick Allen and his wife Cindy Burnham have also known Mr. Purifoy for about 25 years and said in the diving world he is a legend.
“If you’re a wreck diver on the East Coast, you know who he is,” Mr. Allen said. “He was an interesting, unique and funny guy. As a professional he was wonderful, too, because he had safe boats and took us to all of these places.”
Mr. Allen met Mr. Purifoy in 1983 when he went on his first dive.
Mr. Allen and Mrs. Burnham live in Fayetteville and own a home in Morehead City. They come to the coast on the weekends to go dive.
“He will surely be missed because he was a solid fixture,” Mr. Allen said.
Mr. Purifoy, before diving full time was a diesel mechanic by trade and owned a repair shop for nearly 25 years.
In 1975, the introduction of Loran C, the predecessor to GPS, revolutionized the state’s diving industry by enabling boat captains to relocate wreck sites.
Mr. Purifoy began running a small dive business in 1976 with a compressor, rentals,\ and weekend charters aboard the 47-foot, twin-engined Atlantis II.
The business expanded in the late 1970s with the purchase of Olympus I, a 57-foot, wooden-hulled head boat and the addition of Olympus Gym, Morehead City's first fitness center.
The current dive shop was built in 1982 and the 65-foot aluminum-hulled Olympus used today was purchased in 1986.
Mr. Purifoy went into diving full time in 1990.
Brooks Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
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| Shipwreck divers set sail for inlet |
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of carolinacoastonline.com.
Kenneth Long wrote on Sep 15, 2008 12:45 PM:
" I did law enforcment search and recovery diving in this county since 1988 until my retirement and learned early on that George was a Icon and great adventurer in our area. His knowledge and proffessional demeanor influenced me early on after meeting him. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to Robert and his family. Ken Long "
Kat Wade wrote on Sep 15, 2008 2:28 PM:
" I only met Captain Purifoy this past July for my first dive on the U-352 and I was very taken by the man. His passion for the U-boat, the survivors and the families came through as he spent time telling us the stories of the men and the ship. My heartfelt condolences to Robert, his family and friends. Kat Wade "
Bobby Van Brunt wrote on Sep 15, 2008 3:01 PM:
" George was a good friend and his untimely passing saddens me greatly. He will be sorely missed for his great professionalism, love of humanity, tremendous vision, extraordinary work ethic, and his enduring friendship. "
ROBBIE fARRER wrote on Sep 15, 2008 3:11 PM:
" I have been diving since 1994. I have spent lots of time diving with George and Bobbie at Olympus. George was one of a kind, and will by missed! My heartfelt condolences to Bobbie, his family and Olympus Staff! "
Susan Ladd wrote on Sep 15, 2008 5:31 PM:
" Diving with George was wonderful, but talking with him was even better. HIs passion for diving, for history, and for the ocean was powerful and contagious. He'd literally light up when he talked about diving. When I interviewed him about diving in 1993, he said, "You've always got the chance to to see something, find something that nobody else has ever seen. You find a little piece of history that connects you with people of another time."
It will be a less colorful world without him. Bobby, Sandy and Lynda, my prayers are with you. "
It will be a less colorful world without him. Bobby, Sandy and Lynda, my prayers are with you. "
Paul Galeazzi Jr wrote on Sep 15, 2008 8:52 PM:
" I must say this is a terrible loss to the diving industry. George helped me with my first dives after my spinal surgery. I talked to him at BTS and he made it a point for me to dive with him when I went to Morehead City. He made sure that I didn't have to even carry my own gear on and off the boat & he made me take off my gear in the water before coming up the ladder. On one particular dive the water was very rough and he was worried that without my gear on I may end up being thrown back into the water with no life support. He came down the ladder himself and grabbed onto my tank valve and pulled me up, and then walked me to my seat while holding the weight off of my shoulders. He made my first dives after surgery fantastic.
I really enjoyed my dives with Olympus Dive Center and will continue to do so.
George Purifoy will be missed, I will never forget him and what he did for me,
Paul Galeazzi Jr. "
I really enjoyed my dives with Olympus Dive Center and will continue to do so.
George Purifoy will be missed, I will never forget him and what he did for me,
Paul Galeazzi Jr. "
Dawn wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:20 PM:
" To live a life of passion engaged in something you really love doing. To be surrounded by those who respect and admire you. To have family that love you and enjoy being with you. Such is the narrative of George's life.
Though no longer here with us, he will live on forever as long as we choose to keep his memory alive. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and those at Olympus. "
Though no longer here with us, he will live on forever as long as we choose to keep his memory alive. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and those at Olympus. "
Chris Coats wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:23 PM:
" I knew George since I was born and can say he was one of the finest human beings to ever walk the earth. The world is a lesser place without him. My condolences to Linda and Bobby. "
Charlie Styron wrote on Sep 15, 2008 10:10 PM:
" To the Purifoy family my condolences goes out to the family . I am glad to have known George he will be missed by all that knew him. "
Bill Draver wrote on Sep 15, 2008 11:28 PM:
" George ran the best dive shop on the North Carolina coast. His passion and knowledge created a dive experience which could not be equaled. My condolences to Bobby and he will be missed by many divers the world over. "
Mark Nussbaum wrote on Sep 15, 2008 11:32 PM:
" Being a mate on the Sea Quest II we would always find George at a similar dive site that we were at. I would always seeing him on the bow of the Olympus standing there like a wise old indian reading the ocean and skys. He would then look towards us and give us a nod or a hand signal. The enviroment he worked in could on easy days be considered absolute paradise. My condolences to Bobby and his family. "
Michael Muller wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:01 AM:
" George was a great leader, mentor and friend. His reach touched every diver in North Carolina and beyond, whether they knew him or not, and he instilled in many of us our passion for the wrecks off our coast and their history. My thoughts and prayers are with Bobby, the family and the entire Olympus crew. George will be missed and remembered. "
SEAduction Dive Services wrote on Sep 16, 2008 1:16 PM:
" We have the upmost respect for George, Bobby and the Olympus Family. George was always a gracious host, a professional and an excellent spokesperson for NC Diving. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Purifoy family. "
Randy Evans wrote on Sep 16, 2008 1:27 PM:
" With George diving was always fun . he made you fell part of the family . he would tell you secrets of where to look to find things made sure you where safe that you had a good time . You could see his pride in bobby when he talked about his son & the midnight express. we will miss you George Our prayers go out to the family , shop & everyone @ Olympus "
Renea Schuessler wrote on Sep 16, 2008 1:49 PM:
" Having dove with Olympus for the past 9 years, this is such tragic news. George was a great man whom I had a lot of respect and admiration for. He was always professional yet personal when I was there. Also, he had such enthusiasm and passion for diving all the wrecks. He is missed greatly! He will never be forgotten. My heart goes out with deep sympathy for Bobby and his family as well as the entire Olympus family. "
john wisniewski wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:12 PM:
" George was a good friend who had that big smile and great sense of humor we'll always remember. I felt like I was somehow lost when I recieved the news Sunday. George is in heaven now eating jersey corn and looking down on all of us , Megan will never forget her sixteenth birthday and how he invited us on a private dive aboard olympus ,but that was just George . We miss you . "
Bill Hitch wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:36 PM:
" George was a legend in the diving community. I could sit for hours on end, listening to his dive stories. He touched many lives. I had the fortunate experience to dive with George in the South Pacific 2 years ago. It was a trip and experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Purifoy family and the crew of Olympus Dive Center "
Gary Jenkins wrote on Sep 16, 2008 5:10 PM:
" I have made many great dives with George and he will be missed by all of us who have been his friend for many years.... "
Chuck Wine wrote on Sep 16, 2008 5:39 PM:
" There is hardly anything I can add to what's already been said about George except that he was also the most generous dive boat captain I ever encountered.
He would take us to where the good stuff was rather than keep it for himself and friends and crew like virtually all other dive boat captains did.
Of course he kept some knowledge to himself, but his general philosophy was that if he showed his customers an exciting time they'd come back.
He was also a irreplaceable source of knowledge that he freely shared.
I just lost an old dive buddy that I used to dive on the Olympus with and now George. The legends are falling. "
He would take us to where the good stuff was rather than keep it for himself and friends and crew like virtually all other dive boat captains did.
Of course he kept some knowledge to himself, but his general philosophy was that if he showed his customers an exciting time they'd come back.
He was also a irreplaceable source of knowledge that he freely shared.
I just lost an old dive buddy that I used to dive on the Olympus with and now George. The legends are falling. "
Ed Schwartz wrote on Sep 16, 2008 7:41 PM:
" George was a great captain and also a great friend. He had a smile for everyone that crossed his path. He will be greatly missed. My prayers are with the family "
Tony Bronkema wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:16 PM:
" I learned to dive at Olympus and worked for a short while for George and Robert. George was a wonderful man with an incredible love and understanding of diving. When I became a Police Diver later on George was always willing to help us out any way he could. He will be missed. "
Christine Bussieres wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:03 PM:
" Paula, Bobby and the Olympus Staff,
You were there for us this summer when we lost our dear friend Kenneth Smith . We deeply feel your pain at this great loss .We send you our love with our prayers.
Your Canadian friends from Ottawa,
Christine Bussieres
Alan Fleming
Anne Jolicoeur
David Marshall
Peter Taylor "
You were there for us this summer when we lost our dear friend Kenneth Smith . We deeply feel your pain at this great loss .We send you our love with our prayers.
Your Canadian friends from Ottawa,
Christine Bussieres
Alan Fleming
Anne Jolicoeur
David Marshall
Peter Taylor "
Nick Doralp wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:59 PM:
" Diving U352 was a dream for me and I met George last year for that. Of all the charter operators I have met around the world he was leaps and bounds ahead of everyone. He was kind, knowledgable and humble. His stories were great and made my weeklong stay very memorable. His love of the community was also very impressing. When he learned that I had not seen the acquiarium he gave me a free ticket to ensure I would visit them.
RIP George, you will be missed and you will be always remembered.
Nick Doralp
Toronot, Ontario
Canada "
RIP George, you will be missed and you will be always remembered.
Nick Doralp
Toronot, Ontario
Canada "
Maurice Cauley wrote on Sep 17, 2008 6:04 PM:
" George was one of the nicest men you'd ever meet and was a friend to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed.
He and Bobby operate a first class dive operation. Our local dive club in Morehead City, Ocean Quest Dive Club, has always enjoyed working with George, Bobby and the staff at Olympus Dive Shop.
When one of our divers was killed while diving in Costa Rica, George allowed the club and his friends and family to be taken outside the Beaufort Inlet on the Olympus to have his ashes spread and a wreath laid on the water in his memory. That meant a lot to all of us and George was just that kind of guy. "
He and Bobby operate a first class dive operation. Our local dive club in Morehead City, Ocean Quest Dive Club, has always enjoyed working with George, Bobby and the staff at Olympus Dive Shop.
When one of our divers was killed while diving in Costa Rica, George allowed the club and his friends and family to be taken outside the Beaufort Inlet on the Olympus to have his ashes spread and a wreath laid on the water in his memory. That meant a lot to all of us and George was just that kind of guy. "
Max Bowermeister wrote on Sep 18, 2008 10:28 AM:
" I met George on one of my very first NC wreck dives and admired his directness, his genuine friendliness and willingness to assist a newcomer to the NC coast to "get oriented" properly, not just with dive sites and conditions, but the attitudes needed to safely dive the area. His loss is one of the whoe professional dive community as well as to the customers that he and Bobby serve. "
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Mikes Dive Service - Mike Sandy Norris and Bob Venema wrote on Sep 15, 2008 12:12 PM: