Eastern Michigan University recently lost two of its own,
a former prolific athlete and physical plant employee.
Dave Pureifory, a football player at
Eastern Michigan University from 1968 to 1971, died March
5. He was 59.
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Pureifory |
"The name 'Dave Pureifory' was synonymous with Eastern
Michigan University football," said Derrick Gragg, director
of athletics at EMU. "Whenever former players talked about
the history of football, they always mentioned the legendary
Dave Pureifory. We will miss him greatly."
Pureifory began playing football at EMU in 1968. He was
the first player in school history to be named to three
All-American teams. He also was the only player to earn
All-American honors in two season, 1969 and 1970. Pureifory
was elected to the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. Pureifory
also competed on the EMU men's track team as a shot putter.
Pureifory went on to have an 11-year professional football
career. He played for the Green Bay Packers, 1972-1977;
the Detroit Lions, 1978-1982; the Pittsburgh Steelers 1978;
and the Cincinnati Bengals, 1978.
Service arrangements are pending.
Lawrence Betonti, a special projects
crewperson in the physical plant at Eastern Michigan University
from 1968 to 2008, died March 8. He was 64.
"There are three things that stand out to me about Lawrence
Betonti. First of all, his love towards his wife. He would
always let me know when he needed time off work to take
her to an appointment or to care for her, and he always
spoke highly of her," said Harold Grubaugh, midnight custodial
zone manager at EMU. "The second is his dedication to Eastern.
He worked for Eastern for 39 years and 7 months, and worked
in many different capacities from special projects to the
trash truck, ground department and custodial. I also remember
Lawrence's feisty spirit. If he did not like the way something
was being done or the way things were going, he did not
have a problem letting you know. He also had a warm and
kind side to him."
Betonti began working at EMU in 1968. He retired in 2008
as a special projects crewperson in the physical plant.
Betonti was a member of Glad Tidings Worship Center.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; and his brother,
Vernon Bray.
A memorial service took place March 14 at Glad Tidings
Worship Center in Ypsilanti.
