The Perk owner Larry Nacarella was named as one of the first recipients of the Jim Purcell Memorial Award. From left to right: Perkasie council member Scott Bomboy, Perkasie mayor Jeff Hollenbach, Nacarella, Perkasie council president Jim Ryder. Photo by John Worthington | The Reporter.
Perkasie Borough recently honored The Perk owner Larry Nacarella and the Perkasie Historical Society with its inaugural Jim Purcell Memorial Award for service to the community.
The award, named after the late Perkasie council member Jim Purcell, was presented at Perkasie’s Community Day on July 7. Perkasie mayor Jeff Hollenbach, who chose the award recipients, proclaimed the annual award in April to honor individuals or organizations who have made significant contributions to the betterment of the community.
“It is fitting to establish the Jim Purcell Memorial Award to honor individuals or organizations who exemplify the same spirit of service, leadership and dedication to community advancement,” said Hollenbach.
Nacarella’s father purchased The Perk property in the 1970s when it was home to a rundown hotel. Nacarella promptly redeveloped the property into a bustling restaurant and community space, adorned with photos of Perkasie sports teams from the first half of the 20th century.
“Getting Perkasie a chance to gather, to eat together, to have community, he’s been really instrumental with that,” said Hollenbach. “He just has a deep appreciation for Perkasie.”
Meanwhile, the Perkasie Historical Society, founded in 1954 to preserve Perkasie’s history, recently succeeded in adding its Walnut Street museum to the National Registry of Historic Places, the fourth such entry in Perkasie.
“They probably worked 20 years to get this award, so it was really wonderful,” said Hollenbach. “They have such a deep perspective of Perkasie history, and they want to keep it alive.”
The Perkasie Historical Society, founded in 1954, was honored for its efforts to preserve Perkasie’s history.Nacarella and Lee Metzger, Perkasie Historical Society President, expressed immense gratitude for the award.
“The Perk has been a labor of love for me, and I always thought deeply about making it a place where the whole Pennridge community can gather and laugh and share life as well as great food,” said Nacarella. “I hope that The Perk will continue to be that place for many years to come.”
“Many dedicated volunteers have given thousands of hours and talents to create the organization that exists today,” said Metzger. “While the primary mission of the Society is to preserve Perkasie’s rich history, we also strive to provide meaningful events and displays for the enjoyment of our residents and to improve the quality of life in our community much as Jim did throughout his life.”
The Perk owner Larry Nacarella accepts the Jim Purcell Memorial Award at Perkasie’s Community Day on July 7.Purcell passed away in November at the age of 70. His public service in Perkasie began in 1977 when he was appointed to the Pennridge Wastewater Treatment Authority. He additionally served on the Perkasie Regional Authority and was a member of the Pennridge Jaycees. He was first elected to Perkasie Borough Council in 1992, serving as vice president for many years, said his obituary.
Some of Purcell’s most notable acts included spearheading the construction of the Lenape Park walking trail, assisting in the relief and reconstruction efforts after the devastating 1988 Perkasie fire and developing Perkasie’s widely-recognized electric department, said Hollenbach.
“I would say he was a bulldog for Perkasie,” said Hollenbach. “He just wanted everything to go right for Perkasie. Few public officials in Perkasie’s recent history have made a bigger contribution to the borough than Jim.”
“Jim spent most of his adult life as an active citizen on Perkasie Borough council and various boards,” added Perkasie council member and historian Scott Bomboy. “Jim was the person who could speak with anyone and moderate disputes. There was no person more fitting the description of ‘Mr. Perkasie’ than Jim Purcell.”
Perkasie council member Jim Purcell passed away in November at the age of 70.Shortly after Purcell’s passing, Bomboy and Hollenbach began discussing a memorial award in his honor, akin to the Frank Kulp Memorial Award, a defunct Chamber of Commerce award named after Perkasie’s first borough manager.
“The Kulp Award was the region’s highest honor for active citizenship, but the group ended the award tradition as it became less active in the community,” said Bomboy.
Bomboy concluded by expressing hope that the Memorial Award will revive Perkasie’s tradition of recognizing active citizenship.
“Larry Nacarella, the Perk family, and the Perkasie Historical Society are more than institutions to us – they are Perkasie, just as Jim was,” said Bomboy. “It is an honor to help recognize their lifetime achievements for our community.”
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