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John Francis Murphy
8/12/2022


SPRINGFIELD – John Francis Murphy, 76, of the East Springfield section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Friday, August 12, 2022. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on April 11, 1946, the beloved son of the late John Francis Murphy and Julia Sheila (Walsh) Murphy both of County Kerry Ireland. He was raised in Springfield, graduated from the former Cathedral High School in Springfield in 1964 and had lived in Springfield his entire life. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Specialist Fourth Class. He received the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Vietnam Expeditionary Medal. He furthered his education and attended Western New England College in Springfield. He was employed as a Veteran’s Service Aide for the City of Springfield, Veterans Service Department. He was a communicant of the former Our Lady of Hope Church and currently was a communicant of Mary, Mother of Hope Church, both in Springfield. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and friends. He leaves his three dear cousins, Theresa A. Desmarais of Agawam, Daniel Donovan and his wife, Terrie, of Severn, MD and Dennis Ellis of Yonkers, NY; his dear grand cousin and goddaughter, Nicole Cava of Agawam, his dear grand cousins, Cecile Anne Desmarais of Minneola, FL, Dylan Desmarais of Agawam, Elizabeth Taylor of Hanover, MD and Michelle Sellner of Severn, MD; and his many dear relatives and friends locally and in Ireland. His family would like to thank John’s three dear neighbors for their constant care and support. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his loving sister, Ellen M. Murphy who was Called Home on September 3, 2017. His family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. followed by Prayer Service at 10 a.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. His Committal Service with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Prayer Service at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Springfield Rescue Mission, PO Box 9045, Springfield, MA 01102-9045 or to Open Pantry Community Services, Inc., PO Box 5127, Springfield, MA 01101-5127. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels
7 Chapin Terrace
Springfield, MA USA 01107
413-737-1177