(Murphy)
In Taunton, March 9, 2015 John A. “Jack” Murphy husband of the late Norma (Riva) Murphy died suddenly at his home at the age of 86. Born in Taunton Jack was the son of the late Joseph and Ruth (Gough) Murphy. He was educated at St. Marys and Coyle High, Graduated Tabor Academy class of 1946 and received his associate’s degree in business at Boston University. Jack served in the US Army during WWII. He was retired from the Division of Employment Security for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Boston and Worcester. Jack was a life member of the United States Power Squadrons a nationwide, recreational and educational boating organization. He originally joined in 1957. Jack was a past commander of the local Taunton River Sail and Power Squadron and was currently serving as treasurer. He had also served as the treasurer of USPS District 14 which covers the squadrons in southeastern New England. For his dedication and extraordinary work on behalf of the squadron and USPS, Jack was inducted into the Royal Order of Pilot Fish, an independent organization in District 14. Jack took and passed all the courses offered by USPS thus becoming a Senior Navigator. This allowed him to become a member of the Boston Navigators Club, a New England organization. Jack loved his sailboat “Calico”, had many stories and was proud of the fact that he was a “rag bagger” and not a “stink potter”. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Taunton Lodge of Elks, Taunton Redevelopment Authority, Battleship Cove Yacht Club and Tabor Academy Alumni. Jack was the father of Sharon Shustack and her husband Steven of Wareham, Diane Suneson and her husband Michael of Taunton and Jacquelyn Arieta and her husband Thomas of Rehoboth. Grandfather of Michael, James, Erin, Christina and her husband Dmitry, Christopher and Ian. Brother of the late Joseph, Robert, David and Richard Murphy. Funeral from the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington Street in Taunton Saturday, March 14th at 9 AM. A Mass will be held at St Mary’s Church in Taunton at 10 AM. Calling hours will be held on Friday from 4-8 PM. Interment St Francis Cemetery in Taunton. In lieu of flowers donations in John’s memory may be made to Holy Union Sisters, PO Box 410, Milton, MA, 02186-0006.or St. Vincent dePaul Society 141 Washington St. Taunton,MA 02780