Casey Purzycki, 85, a longtime Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors member, died May 26 after a long illness. He was the founder of Long Beach, Calif.-based Backflow Apparatus and Valve Co. (BAVCO), which is still operated by the Purzycki family.

Purzycki began his plumbing career in 1937 as an apprentice, working in his brother's plumbing and mechanical company in Flint, Mich. Following service in the United States Navy in World War II, he moved his family to Los Angeles in 1951 and purchased his brother-in-law's plumbing business before starting BAVCO.

He is survived by six children, 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His wife of 59 years and his oldest son preceded him in death.