Mr Purkiss

I read yesterday that my first school headmaster, Mr Purkiss passed away this week. He was in his 80's.
Mr Purkiss was headmaster of Raglan Road School during the early-mid 1980's when I attended as a pupil. Despite my age, I do still have vivid memories of my time there and recall clearly how Mr Purkiss would arrive each morning in his tiny blue Fiat camper van, driving through the school gates and negotiating his way across the playground to the staff car park. I remember the smell in the corridor as I approached the school office. It was a mix of instant coffee and cigarette smoke. Mr Purkiss was known to be a heavy smoker. I'm pretty sure he enjoyed the odd drink too and he would often take morning assembly with a deep red face and smelling of cigarettes and alcohol. Often he would play a us a record on a portable record player and he'd sit next to it on the stage as we all listened intently to a piece of classical music he had chosen. Other times, he would read to us. He had a gentle voice and he was always very kind and friendly. I understand he he was still headmaster for many years after.
I would have liked to have met him again, mainly to say 'thank you'. I never appreciated my time at Raglan Road. It's only now that I appreciate it and reminisce with fondness.
Mr Purkiss wrote a book upon the Centenary of Raglan Schools in 1989. I'd really like to track down a copy...
Rest in peace Mr Purkiss and Thank You from an appreciative former pupil.