John Purdy was an Australian chess player and Family Court judge.
Background
John Spencer Purdy was born on 25 September 1935 in Sydney, New South Wales. His father was C J South Purdy, an Australian chess International Master, inaugural World Correspondence Chess champion, and "one of the world"s greatest English-language chess writers and teachers". His mother was Nancy née Crakanthorp and held the lease of Greenwich Baths on Sydney Harbour.
Education
John attended North Sydney Boys High where his friends encourage him to take up chess at age 13.
Career
He represented Australia in the British championship in 1955. Purdy served as President, Australian Chess Federation in 1971-1972. In 2003, Purdy suffered an aortic dissection in Lismore and spent weeks at Street Vincent"s Hospital, Sydney.
Although rehabilitation allowed him to return to his professional life, he was unable to continue playing chess.
His latterday interests became golf, swimming, reading and bridge. Purdy qualified as an accountant and then worked for the Printing and Allied Trades Employers" Association from 1956 to 1973.
He qualified through the Barristers" Admission Board for the New South Wales Bar where he practised for five years before leaving to work for the Law Society of New South Wales in 1978. He became chief executive officer in 1980.
In 1984, Purdy was appointment to the Family Court of Australia.
Headquartered at Parramatta, he also travelled on circuit throughout Australia. He retired in 2005 on reaching statutory retirement age.