Emmanuel Haron Purto

Emmanuel Haron Purto was born in 1935 in the northern Iraqi village of Elkish, near the border with Turkey. His parents, Haron and Miryam Purto were a Christian family of Hebrew heritage living in an Arabic country. Life was never easy.  During World War II, his father was presented with the opportunity of enlisting in the British RAF on the base in Habbaniya, Iraq which, in many ways, sheltered the family from more persecution and easily saved their lives.

When the war ended, Emmanuel found employment, at still quite a young age, with the BP Oil Company, working as a medical assistant trainee in the company’s clinic for the employees.  Determined to leave Iraq and come to America, he saved his money for several years to finally immigrate to America on a student visa to become a doctor.  There are many stories and adventures along the way, too detailed to share in this space; however, due to the expense of achieving that goal, plus still sending money back to his parents in Iraq to help the family survive, his ambitions were redirected.

He married Mary Larabee and the couple became the parents of four children, Scott, Susan, Juliette and Shemara.  To support his own family “Manny” found employment in the restaurant/hotel business working for the Fred Harvey Corporation, being promoted through the ranks to finally becoming the food and beverage manager for hotels and the large airport in Albuquerque, NM.  Before his retirement from the food business, he also managed a large truck stop and owned two of his own cafes.

He now leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Diane Thomas-Purdo as well as his four children from his previous marriage.  He also leaves behind his youngest brother, George, who lives in Modesto, CA, along with many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Emmanuel. Known affectionately as “Amo” by close family members) and just “Manny” by countless others, died on July 29, 2025.  Our lives, individually and collectively, have been enriched in many ways by having known and loved him.  May he rest in peace, until the resurrection, in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains that he came to love and call home.

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