James Palmer Murphy, 93, passed away Tuesday, April 2, at Avalon Nursing Home in Mystic, CT.
Mr. Murphy was born July 4, 1919 in Mystic and was the son of the late Nathan P. Murphy and Grace Taylor. He was a veteran of both World War II, during which he fought at Guadalcanal, and the Vietnam War. A career military man, he was awarded a Purple Heart and retired from the Army as a sergeant major.
He and his late wife, Rita Pfeil, moved to Ledyard in 1988. He enjoyed collecting coins and stamps, was a lifelong fan of National Geographic and loved his dog.
He is survived by his two daughters, Sandra Sardelli and her husband Wilfred, of Potomac Falls, Va., and Lizabeth Fernandes, and her husband David, of Bourne, Mass.; one grandson Christopher Sardelli, and his wife Katherine, of Rock Hill, S.C.; one granddaughter Kristen Genduso of Plymouth, Mass.; and several great-grandchildren.
The family is planning Mr. Murphy's burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Va., to be held with full military honors.
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