Sports fan, father of Harvard woman
John E. Murphy Sr., 81, of Clinton, died Friday, Feb. 27, 2009, at the VA Hospital in Bedford after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen (Palaima) Murphy; two sons, Michael J. Murphy and his wife, Elisabeth, of Princeton, and Martin J. Murphy and his wife, JoAnn, of Northborough; a daughter, Deb Thurston and her husband, Bob, of Harvard; a brother, Martin J. Murphy of Clinton; and a sister, Eleanor Gibbons and her husband, John, of Clinton. He also leaves eight grandchildren—Ludwig Haber and his wife, Sherrie; Marion Haber; Joshua, Derek, Kelly, and Sean Thurston; and Amanda and Tyler Murphy—and two great-grandchildren, Noah and Nathan Haber. He was preceded in death by his son John E. Murphy Jr., who died in 1984.
John was born in Clinton to the late Martin J. and Eleanor (Mitchell) Murphy. He attended local schools and was a 1945 graduate of Clinton High School. Following graduation, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving two tours of duty during both WWII and the Korean Conflict. Upon his return, he began studies at St. Michael’s College in Vermont and later earned a degree in funeral service from the New England Institute of Anatomy, Embalming, Sanitary Science, and Funeral Directing. He worked with his family at the former Martin J. Murphy Funeral Home in Clinton for many years and later began a career as a master carpenter and house builder. He retired from Union Local 107.
He was formerly active among the Boy Scouts, served as a former coach of Clinton Little League, and was an avid sports fan. John and Helen hosted the annual John E. Murphy Jr. Scholarship Road Race in Clinton, held in honor of their late son.
John cherished summer trips with relatives and friends to Wells Beach, where he took great pleasure in teaching his children and grandchildren how to body surf.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 3, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church in Clinton. Burial followed at St. John Cemetery in Lancaster. Memorial contributions can be made to the John E. Murphy Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Leominster Credit Union, 20 Adams St., Leominster, MA 01453. Online condolences can be placed at www.philbincomeaufh.com.
